Real Madrid vs. Barcelona score: Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde fires hosts to dominant win in El Clasico

Sunday saw Real Madrid go three points clear of Barcelona atop La Liga in a 3-1 victory in El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid’s stars made the difference as Barcelona paid for their defensive mistakes despite the return of Jules Kounde. 

Sergio Roberto was attacked early and often, and the Barcelona right-back gave Vinicius Junior too much space to start the match, leading to the first goal 12 minutes in. While Marc-Andre ter Stegen was there to stop his initial shot after the Brazilian was sent through, he parried it right into the path of Karim Benzema, who would score the opener on the rebound. 

Federico Valverde would double the lead before the half after a superb shot from outside the box. It was a gift to Los Blancos after a mistake from Eric Garcia saw four Real Madrid attackers in space to pass and set up the goal that Valverde took with confidence. 

Barcelona never threatened Real Madrid all that much until late aside from a Robert Lewandowski chance in the first half, missing from point-blank range on a sliding effort. Barca got a consolation goal from Ferran Torres before a near-equalizer from Ansu Fati, though the scoreline was closer than the game itself. Rodrygo then scored a penalty kick to complete the scoreline.

The win means Real remain undefeated on the season while Barca suffer their first league loss of the campaign.