Real Madrid vs Barcelona result: Vinicius Jr leads Clasico victory
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.
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
If this game ends in a draw, Barcelona will retain their two-point lead on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Then as both meetings ended in draws, goal difference would be used to separate them if they end the season level on points.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
Second half: Barcelona get the match back underway. Will we see any goals in the second half?
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
48 mins: Messi tries to make something happen for Barca by running the ball into the box and shooting with his left foot. The shot is deflected behind for a corner. Umtiti shoves Casemiro to the ground as the corner ball comes in and Real have a free kick.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
51 mins: Vinicius runs to the Barcelona area and tries to cut in back to Marcelo but isn't quite accurate enough with the pass and the chance is squandered.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
54 mins: Real Madrid are causing Barcelona the biggest problems when they play slick, one touch football with pace. They've opened the backline on a number of occassions like this. This time though it's a long ball into the middle of Benzema. He collects the ball in the box but loses it to Semedo. Semedo goes from hero to zero as the ball is taken off him and Marcelo lays it up for Isco. Isco aims for the top bin with a shot but Ter Stegen tips the ball past the post. Great save!
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
57 mins: Brilliant from Pique. Marcelo feeds the ball into the box and Vinicius makes the run. Pique comes flying across the box and times his tackle to perfection to deny Vinicius Jr a goalscoring opportunity.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
60 mins: Real have a free kick that Kroos lines up to cross into the box. It's a decoy play as he ends up passing it down the line for Marcelo. Marcelo then does cross the ball but it bounces down for Ter Stegen.
Isco comes close as Real attack again. He heads the ball to the far post and Ter Stegen is beat but not so Gerard Pique who clears the ball off the line!
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
63 mins: Real break quickly with Isco sending Vinicius away down the left wing. He runs the ball into the box and passes it to Benzema. Valverde is up as well and Benzema doesn't have a shot, he tries to get the ball to Valverde but Barcelona close him down and clear the ball.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
66 mins: Now it's Barcelona's turn to run at Madrid. Sergio Busquets takes the honour and almost gets through before Casemiro wins the ball with a last ditch tackle.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments