Barcelona vs Real Madrid LIVE: El Clasico result, final score and reaction from La Liga fixture today
Follow all the reaction from the Camp Nou
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.
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 pounced on the rebound to score.
Barca got a goal back in the 97th minute when Sergino Dest crossed to Aguero in the six-yard box and the Argentine tapped in but it proved to be a consolation goal as Real moved provisionally top of LaLiga with 20 points.
Barcelona are five points behind in eighth place. Follow all the reaction from El Clasico below, live.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Benzema for Ballon D’Or?
Karim Benzema has made an astonishing start to the season for Real Madrid, scoring nine goals and assisting a further seven to lead both categories in La Liga.
In Madrid, the striker is being talked about as one of the top contenders for this year’s Ballon D’Or and although Carlo Ancelotti’s side have made an inconsistent start to the season, Benzema’s performances have been a bright light in their campaign so far.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Changes in El Clasico
Remarkably, today’s match is the first Clasico since April 2005 without either Lionel Messi or Sergio Ramos.
The captains of Barcelona and Real Madrid, and two of the greatest players to ever feature in this historic fixture, both left their respective clubs this summer, joining PSG.
It could be seen as the end of one generation and the start of another in the Clasico. Indeed, with the likes of Ansu Fati and Vinicius Junior leading the lines and playing pivotal roles for their respective sides, it very much feels like that this afternoon.
Pique, Busquets, and Alba, and Benzema, Modric and Kroos, ensures that there remains some veteran heads on both teams.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Team news
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are unchanged from their impressive 5-0 win over Shahktar Donetsk in midweek. Karim Benzema captains the side and leads the line alongside Vinicius and Rodrygo, with all three scoring in the Champions League win in Ukraine.
Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro offer a continuity that is in short supply in this particular fixture, more on that in a second, and perhaps the best midfield three of its generation will once again have the opportunity to control play at the Nou Camp.
David Alaba plays his first Clasico alongside Eder Militao.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Team news
Barcelona make two changes from Wendesday’s 1-0 win over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League. Eric Garica and Ansu Fati come in for Clement Lenglet and Luuk de Jong.
Jordi Alba starts despite being an injury doubt ahead of the Clasico, while it’s another huge day for 17-year-old Gavi as he makes his first appearance against Real Madrid.
Segino Dest could play on the right wing or at right back, depending on what formation Barcelona play, with Oscar Mingueza filling in at right back or right centre back accordingly.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Team news
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Dest, Garcia, Pique, Mingueza, Alba; Busquets, Gavi, De Jon; Fati, Depay
Real Madrid: Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Barcelona are taking on Real Madrid at the Camp Nou in the first Clasico of the season, as both clubs attempt to kickstart their underwhelming La Liga campaigns. Barca in particular have struggled this season in the post-Messi era and Ronaldo Koeman’s tenure as manager could be cut short if he loses against their fierce rivals today.
“It’s not an additional pressure. We have to go out there and be fearless,” Koeman said this week. “There is no fear from our side. I think we both have a good mix of youth and experience. We are better in ball possession and they are very dangerous counter attacking. We have to be aware of their speed when we lose possession and we need to be effective when we have the chance to score. In a game like this, we can’t afford to miss opportunities.”
Barca come into the game seventh in the table while Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid are fourth and could go top with victory. Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema have been particularly influential in attack and Barca must find a way to curb their threat.
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