Goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos were enough to earn Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico, which moved Los Blancos over rivals Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.
La Blaugrana dominated the ball throughout the first half but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock after 14 minutes. Federico Valverde broke forward in pace and let Lucas Vazquez into the channel, before the Spaniard crossed towards Benzema to sensationally back-heel past a desperate Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
WHAT A GOAL … KARIM BENZEMA! ?
A brilliant drive by Valverde, Lucas’ cross judged perfectly, and Benzema finishing with a bold rear wheel girl at the nearest post? pic.twitter.com/EfjcIW0enE
– Watch ElClásico live on Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) April 10, 2021
Zinedine Zidane’s men then doubled their lead in the 28th minute, when Kroos’ free-kick flew into the net via a deflection outside Sergino Dest.
Barcelona continued to see the Lions’ share of the ball after the interval and eventually pulled one back on the hour mark. Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba linked up far to the left before the Spaniard crossed the ball in the box so that Oscar Mingueza could send home after a smart dummy from Antoine Griezmann.
Casemiro’s late red card made things difficult for Zidane’s side, but despite increased pressure and Ilaix Moriba crashing the ball into the crossbar in the final seconds, Real Madrid held out for their third victory in El Clasico in a row.
This is how the players rated …
Lucas Vazquez helped Real Madrid’s opening goal | JAVIER SORIANO / Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois (GK) – 7/10 – Made some important saves and kept his side in front on a couple of occasions.
Lucas Vazquez (RB) – 8/10 – Unfortunately, he was forced to leave due to injury just before the whistle, but was fantastic for his time on the field. Always quick to pinch in and win the ball, while flowing forward brilliantly – especially with the help of the opener.
Eder Militao (CB) – 7/10 – Marshalled the opposition well and did not let Barcelona break in behind. Made seven interventions.
Nacho Fernandez (CB) – 7/10 – Holds tight for Lionel Messi for the most part and suffocated a number of attacks.
Ferland Mendy (LB) – 6/10 – Another decent screen that makes some important tackles at the edge of his area. Got the ball out of the defense to drive his side up.
⚽? @ ToniKroos # ElClásico | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/ZsA5bdj3nW
– Real Madrid CF ???? (@realmadriden) April 10, 2021
Casemiro (DM) – 7/10 – A solid performance in front of the back four, which breaks up the game more times than you dare count (we did, there were nine ball recoveries). Spoiled their evening by seeing red.
Toni Kroos (CM) – 8/10 – Did not see much of the ball as Barça dominated the possession, but moved it quickly and efficiently when he did. A happy deflection saw his free kick go in; but it’s a goal, so who cares?
Luka Modric (CM) – 7/10 – Energetic, aggressive and offered a little more quality than Barcelona had to offer. It’s hard to believe this man is 35 years old.
Qu ¡Qué GOLAZO, @Benzema! # ElClásico # LaLigaSantander #HayQueVivirla pic.twitter.com/WRmL1dZu4Q
– LaLiga (@LaLiga) April 10, 2021
Federico Valverde (RW) – 8/10 – Did his job brilliantly. Played as a right-back when he was out and possessed Jordi Alba well, while blowing breaks forward whenever possible.
Karim Benzema (ST) – 9/10 – Played the role of leader to perfection. His work frequency was flawless, his connecting play was always progressive and he scored a beautiful goal to get his side going.
Vinicius Junior (LW) – 8/10 – Really threatened Barça sometimes and looked creative when he drove in the back line. Made three important passes and won the free kick that Kroos converted.
? 42 ‘| 2-0 | byte: @alvaroodriozola ↔️ @ Lucasvazquez91 #HankookTire | # ElClásico pic.twitter.com/YJSdMK6lz9
– Real Madrid CF ???? (@realmadriden) April 10, 2021
Alvaro Odriozola (RB) – 6/10 – Made some tricky tackles during his time on the pitch, especially one at Messi when Barca broke forward.
Marco Asensio (RW) – 6/10
Mariano Diaz (ST) – 6/10
Isco (CM) – 6/10
Marcelo (LW) – 6/10
Barca get one back in the pouring rain! ??
Mingueza is done, and that’s the game on? pic.twitter.com/IShnckuzaA
– Watch ElClásico live on Premier Sports? (@PremierSportsTV) April 10, 2021
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK) – 6/10 – Had no chance with any of the goals and actually made a fantastic stop to keep the score at 2-0 during the first half.
Oscar Mingueza (CB) – 7/10 – Had an exciting battle with Vinicius Junior and although he probably lost it, the Barça man was strong and composed for the most part. Got a goal to cover a decent performance.
Ronald Araujo (CB) – 6/10 – Read the game and covered his colleagues well and made some good efforts. Not the impressive character Gerard Pique is so often.
Clement Lenglet (CB) – 5/10 – Unusual looked uncomfortable on the ball. Watched rushed under pressure and carelessly lost possession on several occasions.
Frenkie De Jong showed great energy in midfield Angel Martinez / Getty Images
Sergino Dest (RWB) – 4/10 – Could not make any impact in advanced areas and exposed his central defenders to Vinicius tempo. Sacrificed at half time to change shape.
Frenkie De Jong (CM) – 6/10 – Looked more threatening in his usual midfield position. Added an extra body in the final third and linked the game nicely to get the ball through Real’s lines.
Sergio Busquets (CM) – 6/10 – Made some good interceptions to stifle counter-attacks but was generally overwhelmed by the dynamics and energy of Los Blancos midfield.
Jordi Alba (LWB) – 6/10 – Found very little joy in the future because he was constantly under numbers. Managed to get an assist when he got a place, but was too weak to tackle Valverde in the build-up to Real’s first.
Disappointment for Lionel Messi | Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Lionel Messi (RW) – 6/10 – Had moments of brilliance and always looked likely to create something. Could not really find his usual genius.
Ousmane Dembele (ST) – 5/10 – Never really managed to spin his marker and run behind. Got very little space and, even when pushed out wide, it was closed and lifted immediately.
Pedri (LW) – 6/10 – Moved freely and was fast and efficient on the ball to play on the field. Did two important workouts.
? @AntoGriezmann? @sergino_dest # ElClásico pic.twitter.com/iSLJ4UBXwP
– FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 10, 2021
Antoine Griezmann (LW) – 6/10 – Played a brilliant dummy when Alba’s cross entered the area so that Mingueza could strike behind him.
Ilaix Moriba (CM) – 6/10 – Desperate misfortune not to steal a point at death and smash the ball at Courtois bar.
Sergi Roberto (CM) – 6/10
Martin Braithwaite (ST) – 5/10
Francisco Trincao (RW) – 5/10
