Real Madrid trounced Barcelona 3-1 to win the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu and go top of the LaLiga table.
Karim Benzema netted his 12th El Clasico goal while Federico Valverde and Rodrygo were on the scoresheet as Real Madrid secured the resounding victory over their fiercest rivals.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side opened the scoring after just ten minutes when keeper Ter Stegen parried Vinicius’ effort away and Karim Benzema latched onto the ball and fired home from 12 yards to give the hosts the lead.
The visitors came back stronger afterwards with Raphinha causing chaos down the right flank but failed to punish Madrid. Robert Lewandowski came close but his strike went over the bar.
Barca kept pushing for the equalizer but against the run of play Valverde doubled Los Blancos’ lead — the Uruguayan lashed the ball beyond a diving Ter Stegen after Ferland Mendy found him just outside the box.
Barca battled on after the restart until Ferran Torres pulled one back with seven minutes remaining, but substitute Rodrygo converted from the spot in the dying embers to hand Real all the three maximum points.