Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid: Luis Suarez hat-trick surely draws curtain on Julen Lopetegui's tragic reign

Relive all the action from the Nou Camp

Kieran Jackson
Sunday 28 October 2018 14:08 EDT
Comments
Sergio Ramos lashes out at teammate during Real Madrid training

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Luis Suarez scored a thrilling hat-trick to surely draw the curtain on Julen Lopetegui's tragic reign as Barcelona ran rampant against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.

It was initially set to be somewhat of an anti-climactic encounter between the two sides with Lionel Messi out injured and Real Madrid still struggling in the post-Ronaldo era yet it proved anything but.

Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring for the home side after just twelve minutes when Jordi Alba cut in behind the laboured Nacho and his pull back alowed the former Liverpool midfielder to guide it into a near-empty net.

Suarez celebrates after scoring Barcelona's second from the spot
Suarez celebrates after scoring Barcelona's second from the spot (Getty)

Moments later Suarez broke free in the box only to be bundled over by Raphael Varane and although the referee initially waved away the Uruguayan's penalty claim, upon reviewing the screen at pitchside under instruction from VAR officials, the penalty was awarded. Thibaut Courtois guessed correctly but Suarez's strike nestled right in the side netting and Barcelona were two goals up with just 30 mins played.

An increasingly despondent looking Lopetegui switched his system at half time to a three-at-the-back which initially bamboozled Barcelona's front men and after spurning a number of opportunities the ball broke to Marcelo on the edge of the box who chested it onto his weaker right foot before scything home.

Suddenly Madrid were haranguing Barcelona's defence as the Nou Camp became subdued and Luka Modric drilled a low shot against the outside of the post.

Coutinho fired Barcelona into an early lead
Coutinho fired Barcelona into an early lead (Getty)

Yet, completely against the run of play, Ousmane Dembele dribbled at the Real Madrid defence before laying off to Sergi Roberto whose rifled cross was brilliantly glanced home by Suarez from near to the edge of the box.

From there on out things only became embarrassing for Lopetegui's side. Sergio Ramos fumbled the ball in his own-half leaving Suarez in acres of space to run at goal before deftly dinking it over Courtois. Substitute Arturo Vidal then added the fifth and final wound with a header from just six-yards after some fine trickery from Dembele.

The question is not so much as whether Julen Lopetegui will be sacked in the morning, but whether it may happen ever soooner?

Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid

77': Gareth Bale, who has barely been a passenger in this game, is brought off in place for Marco Asensio

Tom Kershaw28 October 2018 16:54

Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid

79': And it goes from bad to worse for Madrid. Marcelo, who has scored three goals in his last three games, has tweaked a hamstring and Mariano comes on. 

Tom Kershaw28 October 2018 16:56

Barcelona 4-1 Real Madrid

Goal 82' Suarez: And there it is. The final dagger in Real Madrid and surely in Julen Lopetegui. Luis Suarez breaks away and is all on his own against Courtois. He looks either side before dinking it over the former Chelsea keeper. A hat-trick for Suarez. 

Tom Kershaw28 October 2018 16:59

Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid

Goal 85' Vidal: It's getting seriously embarrassing for Madrid now. Dembele dribbles past the hapless Nacho as though he's not even there and chips it onto the head of Vidal who nods home the home side's fifth. Sacked in the morning? Or before?

Tom Kershaw28 October 2018 17:04

FT: Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid

The referee puts Madrid out of their misery early. A wonderful display by Barcelona who have torn Lopetegui's managerial future to shreds in the last 20 minutes of this match.

It did briefly look as though Madrid might stage a comeback in the second-half but it after Suarez snatched Barca's third on the breakaway it was all over. The rest only added salt to the wound.

Tom Kershaw28 October 2018 17:11

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in