Real Madrid ended a seven-game winless run in El Clasico with a 2-0 victory in Sunday's clash thanks to a couple of second-half strikes.
Vinicius Junior broke Barcelona's resistance and substitute Mariano Diaz added a second as Real Madrid leapfrogged their bitter rivals at the top of LaLiga with a 2-0 win in Sunday's Clasico.
December's reverse fixture finished goalless for the first time in 17 years and that was the way this latest tussle at Santiago Bernabeu was heading until Vinicius struck with a deflected effort.
Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen made vital saves with the game at 0-0 and both teams had efforts stopped on the line.
But Vinicius found a way through 19 minutes from time and Mariano added a second late on to end Madrid's seven-match winless league run in this fixture as Zidane's side moved a point clear at the summit.
La Liga Standings
Match Events
7' Benzema's volley goes over the bar
Real Madrid fire the first shot of the game as Benzema tries a volley outside of the box, but it goes over the bar.
19' Carvajal & Alba both get a yellow card
A bit of hustle and bustle down on the left flank as Alba and Carvajal clash. The referee is quickly over and again shows no hesitation in getting his cards out – showing each to both of them.
21' OVER! Griezmann misses huge chance in the box
That’s a huge opportunity for Barca! Messi slips a neat pass out to Alba, who timed his run to perfection and drills in a cutback towards the waiting Griezmann, but he sends his effort way over the bar.
31' SAVE! Messi's shot goes straight at Courtois
A first effort for Messi, but on his weaker right foot and from a tight angle, Barca’s talisman does not really test Courtois.
34' HUGE SAVE! Courtois denies Arthur's shot
Arthur gets the better of Kroos and suddenly finds himself one-on-one with Madrid’s goalkeeper. The Brazil midfielder attempts to lob a chip into the right-hand corner, but Courtois stands firm to make a superb stop.
39' Another save from Courtois to deny Messi!
Another massive save from Courtois, who reacts brilliantly to deny Messi.
46' Ronaldo watching Clasico in the VIP box
Former Real Madrid star Ronaldo appears in the VIP box of Bernabeu.
56' Massive save! Ter Stegen denies Isco's curler
Barca switch off defensively from a corner and Isco is given far too much space and time 25 yards out. He wastes no time in curling a strike towards the top-right corner, and only a magnificent stop from Ter Stegen prevents Barca falling behind.
61' Brilliant goal-line clearance from Pique!
Pique comes to the rescue for Barca! Isco’s header evaded Ter Stegen, but the centre-back was on the line behind his goalkeeper and made the block.
63' CLOSE! Benzema volley goes inches over
Madrid are all over Barca at the moment and the visitors are hugely fortunate not to be behind. Carvajal rchips a cross over to Benzema at the far post, but he can’t keep his volley down.
71' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona (Vinicius)
VINICIUS PUTS MADRID AHEAD! Finally, we have a breakthrough.
Kroos is given time to pick a pass into Vinicius, who drives into the box and this time gets a shot off and, with Pique lunging across, it deflects beyond Ter Stegen and into the net. Madrid 1-0 Barca!
84' Ter Stegen denies Vinicius!
Almost a second for Madrid and for Vinicius, who charged through one-on-one with Ter Stegen, but Barca’s goalkeeper rushes out to make a fantastic stop.
85' Yellow! Messi booked for foul on Casemiro
Messi has just lunged in on Casemiro and rightly receives a booking. Yes you are looking it right.
92' GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona (Mariano)
MARIANO SEALS IT! What a remarkable introduction for the striker who, with his first touches, gets the better of Umtiti, sprints into the area and, from a tight angle, manages to scuff a finish in over Ter Stegen.
RohanVashodia
3569
Congratulations to Barcelona for being on top for 9 days and two hours
Twnty22matrix
3009
when Cr7 is back at the Bernabeu why don't you expect Los blancos to win
Venusballin
2242
Barca were like, "Oh Ma dread!" Just as Liverpool were like, "Wat the Ford!" 😀😀😀😀
mkorea
2109
MISSING PERSON REPORT If anyone sees him,please report to the nearest police station.He was last seen on 2nd of March 2020 wearing a barca jersey
Adobelive
1792
Barcelona were "stretched out like Spandex over Miami Beach" the whole game.
Lahan7
1408
Courtois wasn’t joking when he said he has studied Messi
Lahan7
1331
Vinicius borrowed Ronaldo’s boot for second half. Nice goal
mzeereal
1268
Ramos.: Bro pls pick up my call. Cr7.: who is this Ramos.: Thank God you picked up my call. I need your help in the stadium . we need to top the table.. Cr7.: I will he there with you physically and spiritually.. Hala madrid💯💯💥🔥🔥🐐
Xanderr
1239
Vinicius is not Junior at all, he is now Senior😍
sadorsky
1226
Ronaldo Didn't play but He defeat Barcelona once Again
babafemi
1179
with Ronaldo in the VIP it looked like RM were playing with 12 men.
Theman21
1142
This is what happens when you waste your chances. We had 3 great chances in the first half and wasted them Madrid had three great chances in the 2nd half and scored.
Irfan19
1068
With due respect, Mr. Setien, Possession is useless without scoring. Ansu Fati & Braithwaite should have come earlier , not 10 minutes and 20 minutes before the end. De Jong was unnoticed. Griezmann again flopped. Messi with average play. Still Forca Barca❤❤
fidbknr
990
The best team won. Barca were way too naive. They played like they are leading La Liga by 22pts. This is definitely one of the worst performance from Barca I have ever seen. Messi wasn't himself. This game also shames some of us who were busy calling for "Valverde out" bcos honestly Valverde ,despite all his shortcomings,he had no problems beating Real Madrid and most La Liga teams. He must be laughing at those who were busy asking for his head. I hate to say this but Rivaldo was right when he said Setien hasn't made any improvement to Barca. Barca seems worse than under Valverde. Not to say a lot of things.... CONGRATULATIONS to Real Madrid. They deserved the win ,they were the better team. That's how u play if u want to win a trophy. U need to fight.
mkorea
966
since Ronaldo left Madrid in 2018.Both Mess and Ronaldo have same el classico goals Ronaldo:0 Messi:0 Messi has played in four el classicos 🤣🤣
Michaelkteammadrid
899
We don’t need ronaldo in the field is spirit in the stadium was enough 😭😭😭😂😂
hackeronly
887
ISCO the dISCO dancer Casemiro The Tank Kroos The Sniper Valverde The Machine Gun Marcelo The Warrior Courtois The Wall Varane The Clearer Benzema The Attack Vinicius The Saver Mariano The Outstanding Carvajal The Agressive #HalaMadrid
DarkKing2010
769
I think Real Madrid Attack only needs Benzema to be Replaced with a Better Striker and Madrid will have one of the Best Attacks in the World. Actually Madrid did the right thing by taking the Young players and make them good which can benefit Madrid. Madrid are doing very Great Business.
yinka3497
743
Ronaldo came to Santiago Bernabeu and gave the el classico password to Vinicious
Leo_Mamun10
738
If Messi score goal and assists, Barcelona will win.If Messi do nothing, Barcelona will lose. Not Barcelona, Just Messilona.
lobcdikmn
585
If Busquet is not sold out, barca will continue to sink like a ship in the deep sea. Instead of being active in creating accurate chances for the strikers, Busquet, De Jong and Arthur were busy with nonsense sluggish tikitaka dribbling which resulted to barca poor performance. Also, the was not sensitive enough to notice players that are getting weak and needed replacement. What an unfortunate situation to Messi. Argentina poor coach barca poor coach. It is bad omen!
JohnWick7
568
Messi and Ronaldo Are Like "Like Charges" Presence of Cr7 has Repelled Messi from performing Much better in the el classico😉
Dynalas
544
GIF GIF GIF!: http://bit.ly/2uJfvFX
DarkKing2010
524
All the Praise should go to the best performers who are : 1 - Real Madrid Defenders 2 - The Great Wall Courtois 3 - The Flying Hero TER Stegen
Tobenguzman
501
Ronaldo presence won the match for them 👏
Nammii
438
Isco Magisco ... Casemiro the Tank .. Kroos the Mastermind .. Valverde the running machine .. Marcelo the warrior .. Varane the jack .. Courois the wall ... Vinicius the senior .. Benzema the party animal .. Carvajal the aggresive ... Mariano the lottery man ..Ramos the King 🔥❤️.. Santiago the Kingdom ..
JamesWalker
420
El clasico Real Madrid>Cr7 Effect Barcelona>Valverde's Effect 😏
Lustigboss
346
Congrats Real Madrid you cannot expect to lose when your king is watching 🔥🔥🔥
Humbleprince012
293
Truly Courtious was not nutmegged by Messi... He was right to say Messi is just like Every other Players
Sam_barca4eva
177
Worst barca team ever even worse than valverde's. The barca DNA is gone. At least valverde knew how to use Messi very well even though he played bad games but this is just nonsense passing backwards tactic. No movement from the players. Very slow while in possession. No creativity. We need a better coach who is very tactical instead of bringing coaches that just sit back and take the world-class skills of the players for granted. This isn't why we love barca. Barca need to bring that barca DNA back or they are not going to win anything for a very long time. They need to remember this is FC Barcelona the best football club ever ("More than a football club")
ThoiCh
13
Vinicius borrowed Ronaldo’s boot for second half. Nice goal
la Liga this season be like...... 😂🤣
malays_boys
11
Courtois wasn’t joking when he said he has studied Messi
maybe you are rigth
Lahan7
9
Vinicius borrowed Ronaldo’s boot for second half. Nice goal
He wasn’t joking
Wotadltz
8
Ramos.: Bro pls pick up my call. Cr7.: who is this Ramos.: Thank God you picked up my call. I need your help in the stadium . we need to top the table.. Cr7.: I will he there with you physically and spiritually.. Hala madrid💯💯💥🔥🔥🐐
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can some real madrid fans troll on how barca kids called barnabue as their training ground. looks like ronaldo bought it back for madrid 😅😅😅
AndreSmart
8
Congratulations to Barcelona for being on top for 9 days and two hours
Imagine we took our Chances in First half, it would have been different, MOTM for me; Vinicius caused us too much problem but the only time Semedo left him, we paid dearly 😤and Marcelo who made a great tackle to Stop Messi from going 1 on 1 with Courtois... Benzema has to stop playing because Jovic is a great Goalscorer but on the Bench and Mariano can also score but Zidane will never start him, congrats on your win, hope we'll win the next game 💪