• Real Madrid 1-3 Barcelona, La Liga

Ruthless Barca teach Real a lesson

ESPN staff
December 10, 2011
Xavi's deflected volley pulled Barcelona level © Getty Images
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Barcelona reasserted their superiority over Real Madrid with a 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu, climbing to the top of the La Liga table in the process.

The game got off to a blistering start as Barca goalkeeper Victor Valdes miskicked a clearance to Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil's shot rebounded to Benzema, who slotted home from close range.

Madrid pressed hard and forced Barca into more errors, but could not get another goal and, after letting Lionel Messi slide a through ball to Alexis Sanchez, the Catalans were level. Sanchez broke away and shrugged off the attentions of Pepe before firing a low shot past Iker Casillas.

After half-time, Barca took control, but were fortunate to go ahead. A long shot from Xavi rebounded off the heel of Marcelo and spun past Casillas, dropping in off the far post. As Madrid tired, the wind went out of their sails and Ronaldo spurned a glorious chance to level the scores; he headed wide from five yards out after a great cross from Xabi Alonso.

Minutes later Cesc Fabregas showed him how to do it as he got on the end of a Dani Alves cross to head the third goal and send Barcelona fans into raptures.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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