Real Madrid edged previous arch-rivals Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico on Sunday (April 11) to go top of the La Liga table. Karim Benzema broke the impasse within the thirteenth minute together with his ninth aim in seven league video games, ending Lucas Vazquez’s cross with a back-heel nudge.
Madrid doubled the lead earlier than the half-hour mark when Toni Kroos’ freekick deflected in opposition to Sergino Dest’s again and flew previous Jordi Alba on the road.
Barcelona fought again within the second half in torrential rain, with Oscar Mingueza pulling one again from shut vary. Substitute Ilaix Moriba nearly equalised in stoppage time however hit the crossbar.
Atletico Madrid journey to face Real Betis afterward Sunday and will go again top with a degree. They are presently stage with Real on 66, whereas Barcelona are third on 65.
The full #LaLigaSantander table following #ElClasico…
Will @realmadriden nonetheless be top on the finish of the weekend? #LiveStandings pic.twitter.com/cwRJWxr6Lc
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) April 10, 2021
zBarcelona complained of two penalty selections they weren’t given, with Ferland Mendy clashing with Ousmane Dembele and later Martin Braithwaite within the space.
“I think everyone saw the game, if you’re a Barcelona fan you’re furious, very unhappy about the two refereeing decisions,” mentioned an offended Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman.
“In the first half we were not good in attack or defence, in the second we improved. It’s a very clear penalty, once more we have to shut up and accept it.”
The Barcelona coach later walked out of a pitch-side interview after a reporter didn’t reply his query about whether or not his staff ought to have been given a penalty.
Neither incident was clear minimize, and Madrid might have put the sport to mattress within the first half when Fede Valverde hit the submit with the rating already at 2-0.
Barcelona captain Lionel Messi hit the submit close to the tip of the primary half, direct from a nook earlier than Mingueza put his staff again within the sport after 60 minutes. However, Madrid held on to win an entertaining Clasico regardless of a nervy finale.
“I’m happy for (the players), we made a lot of subs today, we suffered but nothing changed,” mentioned Real supervisor Zidane. “They are all committed, and they want to play and that’s the good thing. We have to enjoy today and the other day,” he mentioned, referring to the staff’s defeat of Liverpool within the Champions League.
“We got two good results and we have to rest well. I don’t know how the season will end but we’ll need everyone, we’re physically at the limit, it’s hard for us to finish games,” added Zidane.
