Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first Clasico of the season in front of 86,422 fans at the Camp Nou on Sunday after a sensational strike from defender David Alaba and a late goal from Lucas Vazquez gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side three points.
Barcelona controlled possession in the first half but Real were lethal on the counter-attack, taking the lead when Alaba started a flowing move with a tackle and finished it at the other end with a left-footed drive from the edge of the box.
FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF – La Liga SantanderBARCELONA, SPAIN – OCTOBER 24: David Alaba of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring their side’s first goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou on October 24, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Eric Alonso (Getty Images)
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman brought on Philippe Coutinho at halftime while strikers Sergio Aguero and Luuk de Jong were also thrown on in the second half as they searched for an equaliser.
With seven minutes of injury time added on, Real doubled their lead when Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved a shot from Marco Asensio from another counter-attack but Vazquez was quicker than Gerard Pique to pounce on the rebound to score.
The home side got a goal back in the 97th minute when Sergino Dest crossed to the Aguero in the six-yard box and the Argentine tapped in for his first goal in a Barcelona shirt.
But it proved to be a consolation goal as Real moved provisionally top of LaLiga with 20 points, while Barcelona are five points behind in eighth place.
Next ‘El Clasico’
Barcelona will have to wait until January 2022 to try and avenge Sunday’s defeat as they are set to face Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup. The other semi-final involves Real Sociedad and Athletic and as yet, it has not been established by the Spanish FA if the ‘Final Four’ will be staged in Saudi Arabia or closer to Spain (depending on covid conditions).
FC Barcelona V Real Madrid – La Liga SantanderGeneral view during the spanish league, La Liga Santander, football match played between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou stadium on October 24, 2021, in Barcelona, Spain. AFP7 24/10/2021 ONLY FOR USE IN SPAIN
AFP7 vía Europa Press (AFP7 vía Europa Press)
The second LaLiga meeting between the two giants of the Spanish game is scheduled for 20 March (2022) at the Santiago Bernabéu.
