El Clasico: How Real Madrid handed Barcelona first League defeat to top La Liga

Barcelona had travelled to the Bernabeu to play guest to their bitter rivals Real Madrid in a bid to largely maintain their La Liga unbeaten run and also their position as League leaders.

Meanwhile, a win or at least a draw would have been enough for the Catalan giants to achieve their aim but sadly, it was not meant to be as Barca left Madrid with yet another black eye following their midweek Champions League calamity that likely sees them out of Europe’s top competition. Xavi’s sorrows are compounded after suffering through similar defensive mistakes to the ones made against Inter just days prior.

Carlo Ancelotti and his men were definitely keen to regain their position as League leaders as Los Blancos emerged with all to gain as goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde, and Rodrigo secured a 3-1 victory.

And with the victory, Real Madrid take control of the La Liga title race, moving three points clear at the top of the standings as the two teams had entered the encounter squared up in points, but with the visitors sitting top of the League due to their superior goal difference.

Karim Benzema was the first on the scene for Madrid, bagging the opener just 12 minutes in. He made way for others in the team, as big-game star Federico Valverde doubled the lead past the half-hour mark with a solid long-range strike.

After halftime, Barcelona pushed hard to get back in the game, and Real Madrid hung on until Ferran Torres brought the visitors back within one after great work from Ansu Fati. Yet it was not to be, as Real Madrid ran to victory as Rodrygo deposited a dubious penalty in stoppage time to secure the points.