A deflected strike from Xavi Hernandez helped Barcelona come from behind in a pulsating el clasico to win 3-1 and storm to the top of the table with a result which opens up the championship race.
Real, who now trail Barca on goal difference, have a game in hand over the reigning champions but this result has brought to an end a 15-match winning streak in all competitions for Jose Mourinho’s side and they will rue their misfortune as well as some poor finishing.
The home side were looking for a decisive blow in the title race with a victory which would have seen them open up a potential nine point lead, and full of confidence they went ahead in the opening minute with a tap in for Karim Benzema.
Barcelona looked edgy but Real were unable to build on their lead while Barca struck back after 29 minutes through Alexis Sanchez. After the break a deflected goal from Xavi turned the game in Barcelona’s favour and on the break Cesc Fabregas sealed the win after 65 minutes.
For the first time in recent years the pressure was on Barcelona who knew that a defeat would have a serious bearing on the championship race. While Real had been in ominous form, Barca’s away form also didn’t inspire confidence as they had just one point from their last two matches on their travels with the last a defeat also in the Spanish capital against Getafe.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola had been experimenting with a three-man defence but admitted it was be a risk at the Bernabeu with the strength of the Real attack and he chose instead to field a tried and trusted back four which included Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique at the heart.
Mourinho chose to play Benzema ahead of Gonzalo Higuain in the Real attack and the Frenchman put the home side ahead straight after the kick off thanks to some poor defending from Barca. Catalan shot stopper Victor Valdes gave the ball to Angel Di Maria and while his cross was cut out, the ball fell to Mesut Ozil whose shot was saved but the rebound fell to Benzema who slotted home.
Real were buoyant and pressed the Barca backline, a tactic which Guardiola’s men have used successfully against them in previous meetings. More than anything it was the pace of the Real attack which was terrorising the visitor’s defence but Messi gave Real reason not to get carried away with a trademark run, going round Sergio Ramos, and seeing his strike parried by keeper Iker Casillas using his fingertips.
Real had more of the ball but Barca were always dangerous on the counter-attack. The home side should have doubled their lead midway through the half when Ronaldo fired wide inside the box with time to pick his spot.
Along with Messi, Sanchez’s runs were a constant problem for the home side and he drew Barca level with a clinical finish on the edge of the area after a fine throughball by Messi.
While there were moments when the game was near to boiling over unsurprisingly on several occasions involving Dani Alves and Pepe, generally the game was played in more of a sporting spirit than when the sides met last season.
After the break Real surged forward but Barca took the lead through a slice of fortune when a Xavi shot flicked off Marcelo’s foot, wrong footing the keeper, and the ball crept into the corner.
Real had the chances to equalise notably through a Cristiano Ronaldo header which he failed to keep on target from just ten yards out but Barca were also a danger at the other end.
The visitors extended their lead after Alves burst down the wing and crossed to the back post where Fabregas headed home. Xavi then missed a header himself which could have given a wider victory but Real substitute Kaka also saw a shot well saved by the keeper.
Real, who now trail Barca on goal difference, have a game in hand over the reigning champions but this result has brought to an end a 15-match winning streak in all competitions for Jose Mourinho’s side and they will rue their misfortune as well as some poor finishing.
The home side were looking for a decisive blow in the title race with a victory which would have seen them open up a potential nine point lead, and full of confidence they went ahead in the opening minute with a tap in for Karim Benzema.
Barcelona looked edgy but Real were unable to build on their lead while Barca struck back after 29 minutes through Alexis Sanchez. After the break a deflected goal from Xavi turned the game in Barcelona’s favour and on the break Cesc Fabregas sealed the win after 65 minutes.
For the first time in recent years the pressure was on Barcelona who knew that a defeat would have a serious bearing on the championship race. While Real had been in ominous form, Barca’s away form also didn’t inspire confidence as they had just one point from their last two matches on their travels with the last a defeat also in the Spanish capital against Getafe.
Barca coach Pep Guardiola had been experimenting with a three-man defence but admitted it was be a risk at the Bernabeu with the strength of the Real attack and he chose instead to field a tried and trusted back four which included Carlos Puyol and Gerard Pique at the heart.
Mourinho chose to play Benzema ahead of Gonzalo Higuain in the Real attack and the Frenchman put the home side ahead straight after the kick off thanks to some poor defending from Barca. Catalan shot stopper Victor Valdes gave the ball to Angel Di Maria and while his cross was cut out, the ball fell to Mesut Ozil whose shot was saved but the rebound fell to Benzema who slotted home.
Real were buoyant and pressed the Barca backline, a tactic which Guardiola’s men have used successfully against them in previous meetings. More than anything it was the pace of the Real attack which was terrorising the visitor’s defence but Messi gave Real reason not to get carried away with a trademark run, going round Sergio Ramos, and seeing his strike parried by keeper Iker Casillas using his fingertips.
Real had more of the ball but Barca were always dangerous on the counter-attack. The home side should have doubled their lead midway through the half when Ronaldo fired wide inside the box with time to pick his spot.
Along with Messi, Sanchez’s runs were a constant problem for the home side and he drew Barca level with a clinical finish on the edge of the area after a fine throughball by Messi.
While there were moments when the game was near to boiling over unsurprisingly on several occasions involving Dani Alves and Pepe, generally the game was played in more of a sporting spirit than when the sides met last season.
After the break Real surged forward but Barca took the lead through a slice of fortune when a Xavi shot flicked off Marcelo’s foot, wrong footing the keeper, and the ball crept into the corner.
Real had the chances to equalise notably through a Cristiano Ronaldo header which he failed to keep on target from just ten yards out but Barca were also a danger at the other end.
The visitors extended their lead after Alves burst down the wing and crossed to the back post where Fabregas headed home. Xavi then missed a header himself which could have given a wider victory but Real substitute Kaka also saw a shot well saved by the keeper.
