El Clásico 2020: Real Madrid Thrashes FC Barcelona in Santiago Bernabéu by 2-0
FC Barcelona was unable to keep their four-game consecutive football league games win streak in the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday. Real Madrid defeated FC Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu courtesy of second-half goals by Vinicius Junior (71’) and Mariano (90+2’) and won the El Clasico.
FC Barcelona was arguably the better side in the first half, but they failed to convert that pressure into goals. After the break, however, Madrid was fairly the better side, and the scoreboard reflected that as well.
GAME’S KEY STATS
The Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann, was most active in looking for the breakthrough. Still, the chances of the first half were provided to Leo Messi, who sprinted towards the goal after finding space but couldn’t get past Thibaut Courtois, and Arthur, who also sped to take to shoot but couldn’t find the finish.
Barca had higher possession (56%-44%), Higher pass accuracy (89%-88%). On the other hand, Real Madrid had a higher number of Shots (13) than Barca (9). Overall, Barca looked pretty tight in the first half, and Madrid struggled a bit, but they managed to take the game in the end.
HOW IT UNFOLDED
Both sides started the 244th El Clasico on a quick note. Karim Benzema had the real first chance of the game where he volleyed over in his 500th appearance for the Blancos.
Antoine Griezmann had the other chance as he found the ball at his foot courtesy of Jordi Alba’s cross inside the box but missed it from a very close range.
Arthur and Leo Messi had the other two chances of the first half, Leo Messi tested Courtois but didn’t find a breakthrough, Arthur’s shot was pushed away by the Belgian as well.
In the second half, Real looked better and built substantial pressure on the Blaugrana. Isco took a shot from the top corner that was deflected away by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. It was Isco again on the roll where he did manage to get past Mats, but Gerard Pique was on the right spot to deflect away from his headed effort.
Another Frenchman, Karim Benzema, had the chance on goal, which he volleyed away from the goal post. Finally, the breakthrough did come in favor of the more dominant Madrid side in the form of Vinicius Junior, who, after the pass from Toni Kroos, slid past Barca’s last line and scored.
Barca decided to retaliate immediately when Messi got past Varane, but he could not stop Marcelo, who intercepted him successfully.
Real Madrid sealed their victory, and the top spot in LaLiga’s points table after the substitute Mariano struck home in the stoppage time. Barca faces Real Sociedad in their next LaLiga fixture and Real face Betis.
