Barcelona started
the season undefeated through eight matches and hadn't even conceded a single
goal in that span. But then they met the unrelenting scoring power of Real Madrid in
the world's most expensive league match and all of that changed as Los Blancos
won 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The match began
with a customary manic pace that would make even the most dedicated caffeine
freak warn both sides to slow down. With Luis Suarez starting
his first official match for Barcelona since the end of his four-month ban for
biting Giorgio
Chiellini at the World Cup, the visitors had the more potent attack in
the opening minutes. Neymar put them
ahead in just the fourth minute.
At the start of
the second half, Real Madrid picked up where they left off. Pepe, the man who
usually takes it upon himself to serve as El Clasico's troll king, headed in
the go-ahead goal for Real Madrid in the 50th minute and Karim Benzema extended
the lead to 3-1 in the 61st minute. From there, Real Madrid coasted to victory.
Since this was
only his first match back and his fitness still needs improving, Luis Suarez
came off in the 69th minute. He didn't make a huge impression on the match, but
he did make it that entire time without biting anyone, so it should be
considered a success for him.
Despite the
convincing result, Barcelona remain top of the table, one point ahead of Real
Madrid. But this could put a scare into them. Real Madrid were clearly the
better side on the day, proving that their overwhelming attack was too much
even for Barca's impenetrable defense.
This battle has
only just begun, though. There's still a majority of the season left to play
and Barca will have a chance at revenge on March 22 at the Camp Nou. At the
current rate, Cristiano Ronaldo should have about 4,238 goals by then.
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