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Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Zinedine Zidane’s men go top of the table

Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid are now top of the La Liga table after doing the double over Barcelona for the first time since 2007-08 by winning 2-1 on Saturday night, April 10.

It was a very entertaining game as Madrid’s counter-attacking tactics worked well, particularly in the first half as Karim Benzema put Madrid 1-0 ahead.

 

Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Zinedine Zidane

 

33-year-old Benzema was first to meet Lucas Vazquez’s low cross towards the near post, squeezing a backheeled flick past Marc-Andre ter Stegen for his 25th goal in 35 appearances this season.

Barcelona fell further behind when Kroos’ free-kick took a deflection off Sergino Dest on its way past Ter Stegen.

 

Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Zinedine Zidane

Federico Valverde could have made it 3-0 before half-time, but his shot across goal came back off the inside of the far post.

In the second half Coach Ronaldo Koeman ditched Dest and brought in Griezmann.

 

Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Zinedine Zidane

But it was Oscarueza who pulled one back for Barca before Madrid’s Casemiro was shown a late red card.

 

Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Zinedine Zidane

Barca almost snatched a draw in second-half stoppage time when Moriba thumped a loose ball against Courtois’ crossbar, but Real held on to record three consecutive El Clasico wins for the first time since 1978.

 

Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Zinedine Zidane

 

The result takes Real Madrid level on points with Atletico Madrid but are ahead of their city rivals because of their superior head-to-head record.

Atletico, who led La Liga by 10 points as recently as 31 January, can reclaim top spot with victory at Real Betis on Sunday.

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