Real fight back to beat Barca 3-1 in El Clasico

Real Madrid trimmed Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga to one point when they recovered from conceding an early goal to secure a stirring 3-1 comeback win in the 'Clasico' on Saturday.

Neymar stunned a packed and hostile Bernabeu with a superb goal to give Barca a fourth-minute lead before Cristiano Ronaldo levelled with a penalty in the 35th, the first goal the Catalan side had conceded in nine league outings this term.

Pepe made it 2-1 to the European champions six minutes into the second half and a misunderstanding between Andres Iniesta and Javier Mascherano led to Real's third after the hour when Karim Benzema finished off a swift break with a clinical strike.
 
Barca are top with 22 points and Real, who had an early-season wobble but have been in scintillating form in recent weeks, second on 21. Sevilla, who host Villarreal on Sunday, are third with 19.

There was no dream return for Luis Suarez, making his Barca debut after a four-month ban for biting an opponent at the World Cup.

The Uruguay forward looked reasonably sharp and had a hand in Neymar's goal but did not come close to scoring himself before being replaced by Pedro midway through the second half.

Barca's four-times World Player of the Year Lionel Messi also had a quiet night by his standards and remains one goal short of the La Liga scoring record of 251 goals set by former Athletic Bilbao forward Telmo Zarra six decades ago.

FIRST BLOOD

In a match watched by millions around the globe and showcasing many of the world's best and most expensive players, Barca drew first blood with a splendid effort from Neymar, the Brazil captain's ninth of the season.

Suarez picked him out on the left wing with a raking pass and Neymar skipped past challenges from Dani Carvajal and Pepe before firing into the corner past Iker Casillas.

Real immediately upped their game and Benzema came close to a leveller when he headed against the crossbar before smashing the rebound off the corner of the goal frame.

Casillas pulled off a superb save to deny Messi in the 23rd minute after Suarez had sent over a teasing low cross and Pepe cleared just as Neymar was preparing to nod home before Real were awarded a penalty.

Barca centre back Gerard Pique slipped and handled a Marcelo cross and Ronaldo sent Claudio Bravo the wrong way for his 16th La Liga goal in eight appearances this season.

It was the 11th consecutive game the Portugal forward has scored for Real, his best run since joining from Manchester United in 2009.

Real edged ahead six minutes into the second half when Pepe was given too much space at a corner and headed powerfully past Bravo and Barca then shot themselves in the foot with a bizarre blunder by Iniesta and Mascherano near the edge of the pitch that gifted possession to Isco.

The Spain playmaker raced clear and the ball eventually found its way to Benzema who smashed it past Bravo off a post.

It was no more than Real deserved and although Barca pressed hard to force a way back into the game they barely troubled the home goal again.

It was Real's 71st victory in 169 La Liga 'Clasicos' since the arch rivals first clashed in the Spanish top flight in 1929. Barca have won 66 with 32 draws.

FULL TIME

Luis Suarez's Barcelona debut ended in defeat as Real Madrid cut the gap on the La Liga leaders to just a point as they came from behind to win El Clasico 3-1 on Saturday.

Playing for the first time in a competitive game since being handed a fourth month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, Suarez's Barca career had got off to a flying start as he set up Neymar to slide home the opening goal after just three minutes.

However, Real responded like European champions as Cristiano Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot before second-half goals from Pepe and Karim Benzema handed them a deserved ninth consecutive victory in all competitions.

Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo 35" penalty, Pepe 51", Benzema 61") Barcelona 1 (Neymar 4")

90+3" Neymar is hauled down but Messi's free kick sails over the bar while Ronaldo is a shown a yellow for a back heel.

90" Real are three minutes away from a famous victory.

89" Modric is replaced by Arbeola as the Clasico winds to a close.

87" Benzema makes way for Sami Khedira.

84" The architect of Real's third goal Isco makes way to loud applause.

82" Barcelona are stepping up the ante but there is no explosion yet.

80" Messi jinks chips to Casillas while Ramos scramble to stop Pedro inside the box.

78" Mascherano makes another crucial block after a breakaway by Benzema and Marcelo as Real step up the pressure.

76" Real are setting the pace passing the ball around comfortably.

74" YELLOW! Carvajal is booked for a reckless challenge.

72" Another blow for Barca as Iniesta goes out injured and replaced by Sergi Roberto.

69" Suarez makes way for Pedro to inject more pace to a flagging Barca side.

66" Suarez seems off the pace failing to beat Ramos on the turn.

65" Marcelo burst through the middle this time and nearly finds Ronaldo.

Real Madrid 3 (Ronaldo 35" penalty, Pepe 51", Benzema 61") Barcelona 1 (Neymar 4")

61" GOAL! Benzema puts the finishing touch to a breakaway move involving Ronaldo and Rodriguez, sliding home off the post.

60" First substitution as Barcelona captain Xavi goes off and Rakitivic comes on to take corner.

57" Mathieu goes close with a low drive which is nicked away by Casillas after Messi sets the ball rolling with a deep cross into the box.

54" Real are all over the Barca goal now.

Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo 35" penalty, Pepe 51") Barcelona 1 (Neymar 4")

51" GOAL! Another early goal as Ronaldo wins a corner and Pepe finds the target with a thundering header from Kroos kick.

49" Marcelo burst through again on the left but Ronaldo's cross is blocked.

47" YELLOW! Modric is the first Real player to be booked tripping Suarez from behind but Messi's free kick is slammed into the wall.

46" The Clasico is back under way.

HALF TIME

Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo 35" penalty) Barcelona 1 (Neymar 4")

44" Rodriguez heads wide off the right post after a superb cross from Marcelo.

43" Ronaldo is trying to cross the ball by streaking across to the right flank.

40" Real under pressure following successive corners taken by Xavi.

38" YELLOW! Iniesta becomes the fourth Barca player to be booked after chopping down Modric.

Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo 35" penalty) Barcelona 1 (Neymar 4")

35" GOAL! Ronaldo calmly converts from the spot sending Bravo the wrong way for his 16th goal in eight games.

34" PENALTY! Real get a penalty after Pique blocks a Marcelo cross with his hand to pick up a yellow.

33" Ronaldo wins a corner with a bit of trickery which is taken by Rodiguez and heads into  a defender.

31" Barcelona are dictating the pace of the game with Suarez lurking in the middle.

29" Messi orchestrates another breakaway move with Neymar complementing before being stalled.

28" Messi threads the ball into the box for Neymar who gets tangled with Carvajal.

26" Ronaldo goes down easily while Ramos scramble to stop Suarez at the other end.

23" Casillas again denies Messi closing him down and deflecting a close range effort.

22" Casillas manages to collect a shot at goal by Messi.

21" Ronaldo causes some panic inside the box but crosses straight to a defender.

18" Barca on the attack with Suarez on the prowl but it is Ronaldo who has a tame effort at the other end.

17" First Barcelona corner is hooked away comfortably.

14" YELLOW! Neymar is booked for an elbow on Carvajal during an aerial challenge.

13" Real are dominating the passage of play.

11" Benzema goes agonisingly close again with a header after a rebound as Real keep knocking.

9" YELLOW! Messi picks up the first yellow in the Clasico after bringing down Kroos.

8" Benzema goes close but is just wide from close range.

6" Ronaldo attempts an immediate riposte before being hauled down and slams into the wall.

Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 1 (Neymar 4")

4" GOAL! Neymar has put Barcelona in front rifling inside past Casillas for his ninth league goal of the season after a delightful pass from Suarez.

2" Real are making early foray sfrom the right flank through Rodriguez

1" The Classico is under way.

Real Madrid will be missing Gareth Bale with a thigh injury but Benzema will partner Ronaldo who is in red-hot form.

The Portuguese striker has scored 15 times in seven La Liga games this season, including three hat-tricks.

Barcelona have a three-pronged attack comprising Messi, Suarez and Neymar.

All eyes will be on Suarez who will make his debut for Barcelona after having served his suspension from all competitive football.

STARTING XI

REAL MADRID: Bravo; Mathieu, Pique, Mascherano, Alves; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Neymar, Messi, Suarez.

BARCELONA: Casillas; Marcelo, Pepe, Ramos, Carvajal; Kroos, Modric, James; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.

PREVIEW

Luis Suarez, whose four-month ban for biting an opponent expires on Friday, will make his official Barcelona debut in Saturday's La Liga clasico at Real Madrid, coach Luis Enrique said.

Suarez will play some part in the match at the Bernabeu, his first competitive action since he sunk his teeth into Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder at the World Cup finals in Brazil, Luis Enrique told a news conference.

"He will play some minutes," added the former Spain midfielder, who will preside over his first clasico since taking over as Barca coach at the end of last season.

"How many? That is the million dollar question. It is an important event for him and he will have some time on the pitch."

Suarez, who had already been sanctioned twice for biting opponents and once when he was accused of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, has been allowed to play friendlies and train with his new Barca team mates during his enforced absence.

The 27-year-old netted a double for Uruguay in this month's 3-0 friendly win over Oman, his second appearance for the South Americans on their tour of the Middle East after he featured in a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia.

Luis Enrique, who had stints at both Real and Barca as a player, said he was confident the referee would be able to control the players in a fixture that has often been marred by brawling and poor sportsmanship in recent years.

Barca would be attempting to play their customary possession game at the Bernabeu and avoid allowing their opponents chances to counter attack, he added.

"We intend to control the match," he told reporters.

"We need the ball and to make the fewest mistakes possible, as well as being efficient in attacking areas."

Barca top the La Liga standings on 22 points and have yet to concede a goal in eight matches this season.

After a stuttering start, Real have come into form in recent weeks and are four points behind their arch rivals in third, one adrift of second-placed Sevilla.

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