Real Madrid vs Barcelona LIVE: Result, final score, and reaction after Federico Valverde settles El Clasico

Into the final minutes of the first half. Busquets is pulled back by Modric and from the free-kick Balde’s cross ends in a Lewandowski header, but it’s an awkward height and it drops wide.

Bit clumsy from Carvajal but no foul against him as he barges the striker in the back in mid-air.

A tough one to take for Barca after they had just about found their feet in the game. It was Kounde’s flicked-on header which looped over his own defence and started that second goal’s move - but the finish was all about Valverde.

The Uruguayan has been in brilliant form this season and that’s his fourth goal in La Liga in 22/23.

Now Raphinha winds his way into the box as Barcelona look to pull one back before half-time - but Mendy does well to see him off.

Modric caught by a frustrated Lewandowski. The home fans giving it a few whistles now with the visitors having the possession and a few fouls going against them too.

Now an error in the middle for Barcelona sends Real Madrid on the counter - and WHAT A FINISH from Fede Valverde!!

The Uruguayan absolutely lashes into the bottom corner from distance and doubles Real’s lead!

Sergi Roberto getting some joy down the right in the last few minutes. Another ball in was nodded over by Dembele, with Lunin called into action twice.

Vini Jr is then booked for complaining too much at a foul being given against Kroos.

Referee not taking any nonsense and has a word with Modric about his teammate.

Some better play and possession from Barca in the last five or six minutes.

First massive chance for Barcelona, it falls to Lewandowski - and he fires over from close range! Pedri did well in the build-up but the Polish marksman failed to fire. Raphinha then fires a half-volley into the ground and over.

Lewandowski was possibly just offside, looking at a replay, but still - from just two or three yards, even on the stretch, you expect him to net.

Valverde punished now for a late foot on Busquets who goes to ground in his usual fashion. It was the veteran Barca midfielder who failed to quite get a challenge in on Kroos in the build-up to the opening goal. Time has certainly been catching up with him somewhat.

In attack now Balde gets a cross over for Barcelona but it’s over Lewandowski and his teammates. Sergi Roberto tries a cross from the right, but it’s low and easily cleared.

Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are trying to get on the ball and dictate play a little more for Barcelona but Real’s white shirts are well-organised and quickly in place.

It’s tough to find space out there in the Real Madrid half and they are repeatedly forced wide and backwards.

No real sniff of a chance for Lewandowski so far.

Real Madrid just starting to dominate possession as well now and Xavi is looking displeased on the sidelines.

He’s calling his two wingers, Dembele and Raphinha, back to help out more defensively.

Real look like they could really push matters at the moment and put themselves well in control.

Karim Benzema! The mini goal drought is over for the Frenchman and the hosts are ahead in El Clasico!

Kroos frees Vini Jr down the left channel, he races away from Sergi Roberto with ease and tries to finish the chance himself. It’s a big spread from Ter Stegen which initially denies Los Blancos, but the rebound falls to Benzema and he hammers in from 10 yards past two defenders on the line.

1-0 to Real!

Vinicius Jr makes his first real run forward and fires towards goal - it’s deflected and ends up bouncing only a yard or so wide.

Just one goal conceded by Barcelona this season, remember - that record will get a test at some point today you’d imagine.