Real Madrid vs Barcelona result: Vinicius Jr leads Clasico victory
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Real Madrid showed their character by beating Barcelona 2-0 in Sunday's top-of-the-table 'Clasico', leapfrogging their rivals at the La Liga summit after a week in which their pride had taken a beating at home and in Europe.
Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr scored the opener in the 71st minute with a strike that deflected off Gerard Pique, flummoxing goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who had made some jaw-dropping saves, and substitute Mariano added the second in added time.
Real's victory means they lead the standings on 56 points after 26 games, with Barca slipping to second spot on 55, while Zinedine Zidane's side also crucially have the better head-to-head record in the event both sides finish level on points.
Real swallowed chastening defeats by Levante in La Liga and Manchester City in their Champions League last 16, first-leg tie in the past week but in the second half they overwhelmed Barca, threatening on numerous occasions before breaking the deadlock.
"We deserve our victory for everything we did, in attack and defence," Zidane told reporters. "It has been a complicated week for us and we had the chance to turn things around and we did that.
"But this win also doesn't change anything. We have a long way to go and we have to continue. We've got three important points but we'll have more difficult games and we will be criticised again."
Barcelona had bossed the first period and twice could have taken the lead but were powerless to stop Real after the interval and their impotence was summed up when Lionel Messi raced towards goal but was easily tracked down by Marcelo.
Marcelo's tackle got as loud a cheer as the goals from Madrid's fans who had not been able to toast a league win over Barca at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2014.
The long-awaited victory was confirmed by an unlikely source in forward Mariano, who had only just come off the bench to make his first league appearance of the season.
Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets believed his side deserved better.
"We played very well in the first half then in an unfortunate move they score thanks to a deflection. We had a great chance to open up a big gap but it wasn't to be," he said.
"There's a long way to go in the season and we have to remember the positive things and how well we played in the first half."
Barca coach Quique Setien had remarked before the game that Real were under greater pressure to win after they had surrendered a three-point advantage over Barca by drawing with Celta Vigo and losing to Levante.
They were left further frustrated by their 2-1 home defeat by Manchester City which has seriously jolted their hopes of remaining in the Champions League and put Zidane back under pressure for the second time this season.
The first half was end-to-end but lacked quality.
Barcelona created clear sights of goal for Messi and Arthur Melo, both of whose efforts were well saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid's main threat was the electric but raw Vinicius, who routinely got down the left but rarely knew what to do next.
Real looked far more determined in the second half, and Isco forced Ter Stegen into an outstanding flying save and then saw a downward header scrambled off the line by Pique.
The missed chances galvanised the home fans, however, who could sense their team were close to an opening.
There was a touch of fortune to the deflected opening goal, but Real's victory was thoroughly deserved.
When is it and what time is kick-off?
The match kicks off at 8pm on Sunday 1 March at the Santiago Bernabeu.
How can I watch it online and on TV?
The match will be broadcast live on LaLigaTB in the UK, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Sky and Virgin customers can sign up for both Premier Sport channels and LaLigaTV for £9.99 a month, while Sky subscribers can get LaLigaTV on its own for £5.99 a month.
What is the team news?
Eden Hazard has been ruled out after suffering another injury to his ankle, while Marco Asensio remains sidelined. Luka Jovic has been left out of the matchday squad, while Rodrygo is suspended.
Barcelona are still struggling with numerous injuries, as both Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele remain out until the end of the season. Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba and Arda Turan will also miss out.
Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Isco, Benzema, Bale
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Firpo; Arthur, Busquets, De Jong; Vidal, Messi, Griezmann
Odds
Real Madrid 6/5
Draw 5/2
Barcelona 21/10
It's almost time for El Clasico. The La Liga title may be decided over the next 90 or so minutes.
The teams leave the tunnel and come out to a wet and windy night at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid vs Barcelona. El Clasico kicks off next...
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
Kick off: Madrid get the match started. They keep the ball and pass it around the back drawing Barcelona forward. Isco is then sent down the left wing and wins a corner for Real.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
3 mins: Barcelona head the corner away to Messi who send de Jong free down Barca's left wing. He keeps hold of the ball as his teammates catch up. Jordi Alba makes a run into the box but Real win back the ball.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
6 mins: Valverde knocks the ball past Jordi Alba and races him to the ball. Alba's pace is up to the challenge and he gets to the ball first to clear the ball from his penalty area.
Vinicius Jr makes a run into the box and is fed the ball. He attempts a cross and wins a corner. The corner is delivered into the box. It's headed to Benzema on the right edge of the penalty area, he lets the ball fall and hits it on the volley but puts the shot over the bar.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
9 mins: Valverde sends the ball to Isco in the middle of the pitch but he loses the ball. Barca storm forward and work the ball to Griezmann. He tries o find Vidal on the far post with a cross over hits the pass.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
12 mins: Vinicius Jr brings down Semedo and picks up the first yellow card of the match. Both teams are playing fluid football as you'd expect from the Spanish sides but we're yet to see a clear cut chance. The goalkeepers are having an easy time of things out there.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
15 mins: Marcelo sends a beautiful ball across the pitch and into Isco who gladly accepts it. He heads the ball back across the box to Benzema but he misses it.
Real come at Barca again. Marcelo feeds the ball into Vinicius who runs into the box. He cuts it back to Kroos on the edge of the box who shoots and sends it over the bar.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
18 mins: Real Madrid are starting to turn up the heat on Barcelona. They're playing well and getting into some dangerous areas.
Griezmann plays a swift one-two with de Jong and gets into the box. He looks to get the shot off but Varane wins the ball.
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