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.
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