Real Madrid is simply a cut above FC Barcelona this year. The Merengues went into the Camp Nou and showed their cla s in a 2-1 El Clasico win, scoring first and holding off a Barcelona team that struggled to create chances. Real Madrid goes top of the La Liga table, while Barcelona is in 9th place, five points behind their rivals.
Barcelona started strong with Ansu Fati leading the charge and the match couldve taken a turn in Barcelonas favor when U.S. international Sergino Dest had the Aaron Donald Jersey goal at his mercy, but skied his attempt in the 25th minute. That left the door open for Real Madrid, which began to exert more pre sure through the runs of Vinicius Junior, whomBarcelona struggled to contain.
It was Vinicius who started the counterattack that led to Real Madrids opener in the 32nd minute. He fed compatriot Rodrygo, who then slotted a through ball into space for David Alaba, who was making a marauding run into the attack from his center back position. Alaba applied a strikers finish past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen.
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Barcelona brought in a host of subs, including attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho and forwards Sergio Aguero and Luuk de Jong, but it failed to create much. It was Real Madrid which found a way toseal the match in stoppage time when Lucas Vasquez put away a rebound after a shot from Real Madrid sub Marco Asensio was saved by Ter Stegen.
Agueros late goal for Barcelona moments later on a cro s from Dest was too little too late and the final whistle came seconds later.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid final score 1H 2H Final Barcelona 011 Real Madrid 112
Goals: RMA David Alaba (Rodrygo) 32nd min.RMA Lucas Vasquez 93rd min.BAR Sergio Aguero (Sergino Dest) 97th min.
(All times Eastern)
Final: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 2
97th min.: Kun Aguero scores! Sergino Dest with the cro s and Aguero puts it away with a clinical Derek Carrier Jersey finish, but it's too late. This game is about to end.
Aguero's first Barcelona goal comes in El Clasico
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93rd min.: Real Madrid goal! That's it for this one. Lucas Vasquez scores just moments after Gerard Pique wanted a penalty called on the other end. The shot by Marco Asensio is stopped by Ter Stegen, but the ball goes right to Vasquez for the easy finish.
91st min.: Courtois is going to continue. Meanwhile, sevenminutes of stoppage time! Real Madrid brings on Dani Carvajalfor Federico Valverde.
90th min.: Thibaut Courtois goes down. Something's up with his right knee (his plant leg) after a clearance. The trainers are on the field to tend to him.
87th min.: SUB - Vinicius Junior is done. He ran himself into the ground and it showed in the second half. Marco Asensio on for him.
85th min.: SUB - Another forward comes on for Barcelona. Luuk de Jong in for Gavi. We'll see if they can create chances for them.
84th min.: It's been a bit since Barcelona has Austin Blythe Jersey threatened. It's a header from Sergio Aguero, but he can't get high enough to head it down and it's not on target.
77th min.: Sergi Roberto comes in for Frenkie de Jong in midfield.
74th min.: Just moments after Sergino Dest nearly scores, Kun Aguero comes on for Ansu Fati. We'll see what the veteran can do.
72nd min.: Real Madrid can't put the game away. Benzema can't convert a cro s from the left. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti brings on Federico Valverde for Rodrygo.
62nd min.: There's Benzema with a chance. His shot is central and it's stopped by Ter Stegen. Both sides creating chances. Next goal is going to be huge.
60th min.: Sergino Dest gives the ball away to Vinicius, but then recovers to get the ball back before Vinicius can inflict any damage.
58th min.: Hand ball in the Real Madrid box! The ball strikes the arm of Toni Kroos on a challenge against Frenkie de Jong, and Barcelona want the penalty. The referee doesn't give it John Sullivan Jersey and Gerard Pique is booked for protests.
Otra jugada polmica. Tendra que haberse marcado penal?
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49th min.: In four minutes he's been on the field, Coutinho has been involved, helping to win a corner and generally creating danger. Meanwhile, Fati gets another shot off in the box, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is right there to grab it at the near post.
47th min.: SUB - Ronald Koeman is going for it. Philippe Coutinho is in at halftime for Oscar Mingueza and Sergino Dest takes over at right back.
46th min.: Second half is underway and Ansu Fati already Ethan Westbrooks Jersey with a cro s from the left that goes through the Real Madrid box.
Halftime: Barcelona 0, Real Madrid 1
Halftime: It's been a good, competitive first half. Barcelona started strong and Ansu Fati looked up for it, but then Vinicius Junior began to take over with his runs down the left and then with the pa s that launched the goal move. Barcelona mi sed a great chance through U.S. international Sergino Dest just moments before that goal. That's how close this game has been, but Vinicius is clearly the best player on the field so far and that's been the difference.
44th min.: Ansu Fati takes a shot in the box and it's Alaba with the block. Barcelona close to the equalizer just before the break.
35th min.: Another Barcelona chance! Gerard Pique's header off a Depay corner goes wide left. That was close.
PIQUE ALMOST HAD THE EQUALIZER +
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32nd min.: Goal Real Madrid! In a quick transition, Vinicius finds Rodrygo with a cro s-field pa s and he feeds Alaba who was making the breakout run from his center back position. He let loose a left-footed shot that beats Ter Stegen. Great move by Real Madrid.
Alaba's first Real Madrid goal comes in El Clasico +
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25th min.: What a chance for Sergino Dest! All alone in the box and he skies it. A cro s by Depay is dummied by Fati, who left it for him. Wow.
Dest mi ses a sitter!
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24th min.: Vinicius again in the box and he's dancing around while Ter Stegen chases him. His shot is blocked. Meanwhile, thi