The first Clasico of the season took place at the Bernabeu this evening, as Real Madrid welcome Barcelona in La Liga.
Barca had the lead four minutes into proceedings when Neymar found the bottom corner from inside the box.
However, the two sides entered the interval on terms following a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo.
The home side moved ahead early in the second period through Pepe, before Karim Benzema made it 3-1 just past the hour.
The result means that Real Madrid are now just one point behind league leaders Barcelona in the table.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live minute-by-minute commentary of the action below.
Welcome all! Well, this is just a little bit special isn't it? Real Madrid against Barcelona always has spice, but that has been added to again this season. Three points are of course up for grabs, but it is so much more than that. The team news is expected in the next five minutes or so, but unconfirmed reports have said that Luis Suarez indeed starts...
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Sergio Ramos returns to the Real Madrid side this afternoon, but as expected, Gareth Bale is not available. There is some slightly big news in the Barcelona XI, meanwhile, with a certain Suarez included! Full teams to follow in a moment...
TEAMS
REAL MADRID: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Isco, Kroos; James, Benzema, Ronaldo
BARCELONA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Mathieu; Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Real Madrid side this afternoon, with Isco replacing the injured Bale. Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo both start in attack, with James Rodriguez included in an attacking position. The return of Ramos to central defence is the big team news for Los Blancos.
Barcelona? Well they hand an official debut to Suarez, who has returned from his four-month worldwide ban. The forward will start alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar in attack. Sergio Busquets also returns from injury, while Xavi and Jeremy Mathieu are included, leaving Ivan Rakitic and Jordi Alba on the bench.
In total, Real Madrid and Barcelona have met 228 times in all competitions. Los Blancos hold a 91-89 lead, while 48 games have been drawn. That said, Barcelona have enjoyed the better of the recent league encounters, winning eight of the 12 league Clasicos since 2008.
Of course, that run of results included a home and away double last season. Barcelona were 2-1 winners on their own patch at the end of last October, before winning 4-3 at the Bernabeu in a match where Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick. The pair also met in the Copa del Rey final last season, but it was Real Madrid that came through as late 2-1 winners courtesy of a stunning effort from Bale.
This match will also see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi face off once more. The attacking pair are miles ahead of their competition at the moment and are perhaps the two greatest of all time. Neither has slowed down in terms of performance levels this season, meanwhile, with Ronaldo already hitting 20 in 13 games (yes, 20 in 13) and Messi registering nine goals in 11 games.
© Getty Images
In terms of Clasicos, the pair also boast extraordinary numbers. Ronaldo has played in 21 Clasicos, scoring 13 times in the process. However, the Portuguese has been on the winning side just five times. No player has scored more Clasico goals than Messi, meanwhile, with the Argentine hitting 21 goals and 12 assists in 28 matches. Which one of these two exceptional talents will come out on top in this match?
Both players are chasing the Champions League goals record, which is currently held by Raul. Messi, meanwhile, also has his sights set on Telmo Zarra's La Liga scoring record. The Argentine is just two goals away from beating the record. Can you imagine if that occurred in this match? It isn't impossible!
In terms of this season, Barcelona enter the match top of La Liga on 22 points. They have won seven of their eight matches, with their only dropped points occurring away to Malaga in September. They have also scored 22 times and as been widely documented, still not conceded in the league – incredible.
While they have scored 14 times in their four home league games this season, Barca have hit just eight on the road – far from disastrous, but Real Madrid will enter this match as the slight favourites. In truth, there is nothing between the two teams at the moment, but home advantage could be crucial here.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, currently sit third in the La Liga table on 18 points. They have won six of their eight matches, losing twice in the process. In fact, Los Blancos lost two of their first three league games of the season, including a 2-1 home defeat to the champions Atletico Madrid.
© Getty Images
Since losing to Atletico, Real Madrid have won each of their eight games in all competitions – scoring goals freely. They have conceded nine times in the league this season, but scored 30, which leaves their goal difference just one less than Barcelona. Goals have not been a problem for Los Blancos thus far!
If Real Madrid were to lose this match, however, they would be seven points behind Barcelona in La Liga. It is still early in the season, but that is a big gap. In truth, neither side will drop too many points against the so-called smaller teams, which makes the big matches in Spain even more vital than before.
Even without the injured Bale, this match will be the most expensive game of football ever played. Both teams have splashed the cash in recent seasons, with Barcelona adding the likes of Suarez and Neymar to Messi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Xavi and co, who all came through the academy system.
It would be unfair to discount Atletico Madrid from the title race once again. After all, they are the champions, but you just get the feeling that it will come down to these two this season. It doesn't get much bigger than the Clasico in world football and kickoff is fast approaching in the capital.
Is there a chance of a goalless draw in this match despite all the attacking talent on display? Well, you have to go back until 2002 to find the last time that these two sides played out a 0-0 draw. One thing is for certain, the expected worldwide audience of 500m will want to see some goals at the Bernabeu.
PREDICTION! Have a watch at what Barney Corkhill and I had to say about this match earlier this week. One has backed a draw, the other has backed a high-scoring Barcelona win...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. It is Real Madrid against Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season. Let's hope for a wonderful occasion in the capital...
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this early evening in Madrid. This is what football is all about - matches of this magnitude. It has all the makings of a special, special match. Right, the away side get the first 45 minutes of action underway in El Clasico. Let's go!
It will not come as much of a surprise that the away side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes, with Mathieu and Alves both enjoying the ball in wide areas. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be crucial tonight. Who will strike first?
It's good work from the home side as Ronaldo breaks forward before finding James, who delivers towards Isco at the far post, but Alves is across to make the block. Barcelona are down the other end moments later, but Messi's run is ended by Pepe. As expected, there is a brilliant tempo in the early minutes.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona (Neymar)
Barcelona lead inside four minutes here as Neymar collects possession on the left before cutting inside and finishing into the bottom corner. Stunning, stunning effort from the Brazilian. What a start!
Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Pique brings Ronaldo to the ground...
... the resulting free kick is taken by Ronaldo, but his effort is straight into the wall. It has been a strong response from the home side as Benzema clips one just wide following a through pass from Isco.
Good grief this match is being played at a high tempo! It is difficult for the referee as he attempts to remain up with the play, which is hard when it is flowing from end-to-end. Barcelona have a free kick outside the Real Madrid box, but Messi's delivery is headed clear by Pepe.
BOOKING! Messi is the first player booked for a rash challenge on Kroos.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Marcelo drives into the Barcelona box before rolling a low cross towards Benzema, but the Frenchman just cannot make contact. The pressure continues down the left, but somehow Barcelona scramble clear. Wonderful stuff!
CROSSBAR! WOW! Benzema rattles the crossbar for Real Madrid after meeting a cross from Ronaldo. This has been a stunning opening 11 minutes, but the score remains 1-0 Barcelona.
The home side continue to force the issue as Ronaldo attempts to meet a cross from Marcelo, but Bravo manages to collect at the vital moment. Barcelona just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Real Madrid continue to attack with numbers. Meanwhile, the challenges continue to fly in from both teams.
BOOKING! Neymar is booked for a perceived elbow on Carvajal.
Half-chance for the home side as Benzema finds some space outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Bravo. Down the other end, Suarez is challenged by Pepe, with Barca forcing a corner.
Barcelona have just started to see more of the ball in the last few minutes, with Mathieu threatening in a wide position. The left-back delivers towards Neymar, but Pepe steps out to clear. The home side are down the other end with Ronaldo moments later, but his effort is straight into the arms of Bravo.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but both sides are still committing numbers in the final third. You just get the feeling that the home team need to score the next goal if they are to take something from the match. You cannot afford to give Barca a two-goal start.
Just a reminder that a win for Barcelona this evening would take them seven points clear of Real Madrid in the table. That said, I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals in this match. Mathieu continues to work down the left for the away side, but has been unable to find a teammate in the box.
CHANCE! Oh my god! Messi has just missed an absolute sitter! The Argentine meets a low cross from Neymar, but somehow misses the target. How on earth has he not scored?! Replays have shown that Casillas might have got the slightest of touches on the cross. Incredible moment.
Real Madrid threaten down the other end as Carvajal delivers a cross towards Ronaldo, but the Portuguese cannot make contact. Barcelona attempt to break, but Kroos is across to challenge Busquets.
PENALTY SHOUT! Ronaldo wants a penalty after going down inside the Barcelona box, but the referee is not interested. It would have been soft there is no question about that.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score a second as Messi delivers a low cross into Neymar, who makes contact inside the box, but Carvajal is across to make a fine challenge.
Suarez continues to impress on his Clasico debut as the Barcelona forward finds Messi, who leads a two-on-two situation with Neymar, but the home side manage to clear the danger. The opening 30 minutes of this contest have just flown past. The only surprise is that we have only seen one goal scored!
Half-chance for Barcelona as Alves strikes one from outside the box, but Casillas collects despite a slight deflection. Real Madrid are down the other end moments later, but Benzema cannot find Ronaldo. The attacking players on display this evening are scary - what talent in this Clasico.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
BOOKING! The home side have a penalty as Pique falls to the ground before handling inside the box. The Spaniard is booked for giving away the penalty. Poor defending!
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona (Ronaldo, pen)
Barcelona have finally conceded their first league goal of the season as Ronaldo fires his effort into the bottom corner. He now has 16 league goals to his name. Sixteen, in less than eight games. Wow.
Little over five minutes of this first period remaining and it has been just wonderful. What an opening 38 minutes to this match. It is the home side that continue to threaten as the interval approaches.
BOOKING! Iniesta goes into the book for a late challenge on Modric.
Carvajal has been the man of the match thus far. He has been everywhere for his side thus far. Barcelona force the issue from a corner, but it trickles behind following a clash inside the area.
The action has just calmed in the last couple of minutes, with Barcelona keeping the ball just inside the Real Madrid half. It will be nice to get a breather for a moment! It has been non-stop thus far.
Real Madrid's turn to enjoy possession of the ball in the latter stages of the half, but neither side is too keen on forcing the issue at this stage of the contest. Both sides will be pretty happy with this score after 45 minutes of football. I backed 1-1 before the match, but surely we will see more goals.
Half-chance for the home side to move ahead in the latter stages of the half, but James heads just wide after poor defending from Pique. It has not been the best half for the Barca centre-back.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona
Wow, just wow. What a half of football at the Bernabeu. Barcelona struck first through Neymar inside four minutes, but a penalty from Ronaldo has left the two sides level at the break. As expected, it has been a half full of incidents and talking points. El Clasico just doesn't disappoint anymore does it?
STATS! Barcelona have had more of the ball with 61% possession, while they have had seven attempts, four of which have been on target. The home side, meanwhile, have hit the target with three of their 10 attempts. There have also been four bookings - all of which have come to Barca.
BENCH WATCH! The home side only really have one attacker on their bench this evening, with Javier Hernandez the likely option from the sidelines. Midfield reinforcements are provided by the likes of Khedira and Illarramendi. Barcelona, meanwhile, have the likes of Jordi Alba, Munir El-Haddadi, Pedro and Ivan Rakitic available. Both managers have the ability to change this match.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. What will happen in this half? Let's hope it is as good as the first! Real Madrid get the second period underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. The home team make a bright start to the second period as Benzema finds James on the edge of the box, but his effort is deflected into the arms of Bravo. The first period has started in the same manner as the first.
Modric concedes a free kick just outside the Real Madrid box after fouling Suarez...
... Messi strikes straight into the wall, before the home side manage to clear the danger.
End-to-end football in the early stages of the second period, with Ronaldo leading the charge for the home side, before Ramos clears a low cross from Alves. The man of the match thus far has been Carvajal, with the Real Madrid defender making block after block inside his own box.
Half-chance for the home side as Benzema leads a charge for Real Madrid before finding Ronaldo, but Pique is across to make a brilliant challenge at the vital moment. Much better from Pique.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona (Pepe)
Real Madrid have their second of the match as Pepe rises inside the box before thumping a header into the bottom corner. Stunning leap from the centre-back. The home side have turned this around!
How do Barcelona respond? It is the home supporters creating a stunning noise inside the stadium at the moment, but you just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals - far from it.
Again it is brilliant work from Benzema as the Frenchman turns past Pique before attempting to find Ronaldo, but the Portuguese just cannot collect. Real Madrid continue to threaten in wide areas before Ronaldo cuts inside, but eventually Isco delivers into the arms of the Barcelona goalkeeper.
Suarez remains a threat for Barcelona, but the former Liverpool striker loses his balance before fouling Ramos inside the Real Madrid box. We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering changes. Barcelona have Alba and Rakitic both warming up at the moment.
CHANCES! Barcelona come close to levelling as Neymar drives into the box before rolling a pass back to Messi, but Ramos is across to clear with a brilliant challenge. Moments later, Casillas denies Mathieu, who had arrowed one towards the top corner. It is all happening here!
Suarez turns away from Ramos after a brilliant pass from Xavi, but the referee is not interested. That, for me, was a free kick outside the box. Still 2-1 Real Madrid with an hour played in the capital.
SUB! Barcelona make their first change as Rakitic replaces Xavi.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona (Benzema)
Real Madrid have their third of the match and it is just brilliant from the home side. A mistake from Iniesta presents the ball to Isco, who finds Ronaldo. Ronaldo slides in James, who then finds Benzema and the Frenchman finishes into the bottom corner. That is super stuff from Los Blancos.
Have we seen the last of the goals this evening? I doubt it! Barcelona attempt to respond as Suarez battles Ramos inside the box, but the danger is cleared once more. Los Blancos now have daylight here.
Another half-chance for the home side as Marcelo leads a counter before finding Ronaldo, but Mascherano is across to make a brilliant challenge at the vital moment. A fourth goal for Real Madrid would surely end this match as a contest. However, at 3-1, Barcelona still have a chance here.
The visitors continue to force the issue as Suarez combines with Rakitic outside the Real Madrid box, but once again the move breaks down before the home side break down the other end. Ronaldo drives to the edge of the Barcelona area, but Alves is across to make a brilliant last-ditch challenge.
Half-chance for Neymar as the Brazilian meets a cross from Suarez, but his header is over the crossbar. That could well be Suarez's final contribution as Pedro readies himself on the touchline.
SUB! Suarez is indeed replaced by Pedro.
Another half-chance for the home side as Benzema strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always rising high of the crossbar. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining here.
SUB! Big blow for Barcelona as Iniesta appears to pull his calf in the middle of the park. It leads to a replacement being called, with Sergi Roberto entering the fold.
Half-chance for Neymar this time as the Brazilian collects a pass from Messi inside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. Still more than 15 minutes of this contest remaining. Can Barca respond?
BOOKING! Carvajal is booked for a late challenge on Mathieu.
Another half-chance for the home side as Benzema takes the ball away from Pique inside the Barcelona box before setting up James, but his effort is blocked by Mascherano. It has not been the best match for Pique, whose handball led to a Real Madrid penalty in the first period.
Real Madrid continue to threaten on the counter, with Carvajal looking for a pass towards Ronaldo, but the attacker cannot collect. Barcelona are down the other end with Mathieu moments later, but once again Carvajal is on hand to make the clearance. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Messi again threatens for the away side after dancing past Marcelo inside the box, but his cross is straight into the arms of Casillas. Meanwhile, there is some movement on the Real Madrid defence.
The away side continue to threaten as Rakitic delivers a cross towards the near post, but Ramos is on hand to make the clearance. Real Madrid break from the resulting corner, but Ronaldo cannot find James. That was a big chance for goal number four. Barcelona survive, but they need two goals here.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, but Barcelona continue to force the issue. A cross from Alves comes towards the far post, but Pepe is on hand to clear.
SUB! Real Madrid make their first change as Illarramendi replaces Isco.
Little under five minutes of normal time remaining and Real Madrid continue to stand strong. Roberto finds space in a wide area before attempting to feed Messi, but Carvajal is across to clear.
SUB! Real Madrid make their second change as Khedira replaces Benzema.
Plenty of possession for Barcelona, but they just cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. They work the ball wide to Alves, but it continues to play into the hands, or heads, of Pepe and Ramos.
SUB! Final Real Madrid change as Arbeloa replaces Modric.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.
Real Madrid control the possession in the final moments as they head for all three points. They are moving to within one point of league leaders Barcelona - what a result for the home side tonight.
Barca have a free kick outside the box as Carvajal brings Neymar to the ground...
... Messi takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is high and wide.
BOOKING! Ronaldo is booked after clashing with Alves.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona
So there we have it. Real Madrid win the first Clasico of the season with a 3-1 success over Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
