El Clasico: Neymar, Luis Suarez nearly score third on handsome play

“We were up against a very good side and we paid for our mistakes”.

That was only the second goal Real had conceded at home all season, but their usually strong defence simply had no answer to Barcelona‘s attacking prowess.

An utterly dominant Barca could easily have added to their tally in the closing stages and Real’s humiliation was complete when substitute Isco was shown a straight red card for a wild lunge at Neymar six minutes from time. Benitez said at a news conference. But we must be united, work, improve things we must improve, and go into the next game to get the three points we need to fight for La Liga. “There’s a long way to go yet”, he insisted.

Guiding Barcelona to a 4-0 win at Madrid’s ground is a feat in itself, but Iniesta entered the annals of one of football’s most heated rivalries thanks to the respectful ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu. There were unprecedented security measures in place after the attacks in Paris last week, with almost 3,000 policemen and private security officers working to maintain public safety at the 81,000-capacity stadium. This match perfectly highlighted what Barca does right and what Real Madrid does wrong.

The Spain global, captaining the side for the first time against Madrid, set up Neymar’s goal in the first half before smashing in an unstoppable effort in the second as the Liga champion romped to a 4-0 win, with Luis Suarez also scoring twice.

In the 81st minute Karim Benzema had a header with a goal written on it from close range but was saved by Bravo.

Whilst Madrid started with 10 foreigners for the first time in a Clasico, Barca remained true to their traditions with five graduates from their La Masia academy in the starting line-up. The Argentinian was able to help consolidate control over the match and was part of the buildup play that put Luis Suarez through on goal at the 74 minute.

Messi recovered from a left knee injury but started the clasico on bench because he was not yet 100 percent fit physically. However, Enrique rejected claims his side could strike a decisive blow in the title race after just 12 games.

Barcelona’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez opened the score in the 11th minute. Alba touched Messi’s pass on to Suarez, who clipped a finish beyond Navas and into the far corner without a Madrid defender in sight.

The game was over in the 53rd minute when Barca added a third, Neymar forced Navas to tip his free-kick over the crossbar but could do nothing to stop Iniesta firing home.