Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona: Barça's defeat in the Clasico (3-1)

Barcelona (FCB).- Despite a dream start, when Neymar swept home an early opener, Barça went down 3-1 in Madrid on Saturday’s first Clasico of the season in a game in which Luis Suarez made his official debut and Claudio Bravo finally conceded.

Luis Enrique threw Luis Suarez a starting berth in the team and the game could hardly have started better for Barça, when after just 3 minutes, the Uruguayan sent a cross field ball from the right to Neymar and the Brazilian cut inside, leaving a couple of defenders trailing in his wake to fire low past Iker Casillas and open the scoring. The Bernabeu was stunned and Madrid came roaring back, laying siege to the Barça area, but Luis Enrique’s team held firm – admittedly with a little help from the woodwork when Karim Benzema rose and headed a cross against the bar – and were soon creating their own chances, with Leo Messi bringing out two quick stops from Casillas and Neymar and Luis Suarez looking sharp and dangerous.

Ronaldo penalty equaliser

Madrid’s pressure paid off on 35 minutes when Marcelo broke down the Barça right and sent in a dangerous cross, which Gerard Piqué slid in to stop, handballing it on the ground. The ref pointed to the spot and Ronaldo duly stepped up to equalise. Piqué nearly made up for that 5 minutes later with a header from a corner, but the Madrid defence scrambled it away.

Second half

The second half began at the same hectic pace as the first, with both sides making chances, but it was Madrid who took theirs when an unmarked Pepe headed in a corner at the far post to put the hosts ahead for the first time in the game. Barça now had to chase and they were having plenty of possession around the Madrid area, but just missing the final touch, though it took a brilliant flying save from Casillas to keep out a powerful Mathieu drive.

Piqué and Mascherano heroics

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were defending deep and looking to hit Barça on the counter and despite some heroic last ditch defending from Javier Mascherano and Pique to deny them, they got their rewards on the hour when Isco took advantage of a mix up between Andres Iniesta and Mascherano to release Ronaldo who set up Benzema to score Madrid’s third.

With Iniesta limping off and Suarez subbed, Barça continued to plug away, but Madrid had closed up shop and although Pedro Rodriguez and Neymar had a couple of half chances, it wasn’t to be tonight and Barça lost their unbeaten league record as Madrid closed the gap at the top to a single point.