The first El Clasico of the season will be remembered for a long time, as Barcelona humiliate Real Madrid 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Lionel Messi coming on as a substitute, Cristiano Ronaldo looking awful while Luis Suarez (twice), Neymar and Andres Iniesta take care of the scoring.

Rafa Benitez might not last the night as the poor form of the club continues in the league, falling six points behind Barcelona, losing for a second consecutive time. After what looked like the best defensive team in Europe, everything fell apart for them as their midfield was non existent during the 90 minutes, while Ivan Rakitic, Iniesta and Sergi Roberto did as they pleased, supplying plenty of opportunities and chances for Suarez and Neymar.

The two goals in the first half came with zero pressure on the assist provider, and with the Real Madrid defense simply daydreaming, allowing the through ball and the one on one. Barcelona should have been up by three goals at half time, but a goal line save by Marcelo denied them a deserved, bigger lead.

It didn’t matter. Messi joined the fray in the second half and at some point, that had to make a difference. Iniesta scored quickly one of his finest goals ever with a cracker of a shot from the edge of the box, and Suarez added another one as the broken Real Madrid team didn’t seem too bothered about stopping anything coming their way.

Isco was sent off in the final minutes as Real Madrid players let out their frustration at Neymar by kicking him violently. Ronaldo should have been sent off in the first half for elbowing Dani Alves in the head, but Alves was the one booked for stopping play by blocking Ronaldo. Not that it mattered. Ronaldo did more harm than good while being on the pitch, in Barcelona’s biggest win against Real Madrid since the 5-0 in 2010 and away from home since the 6-2 in 2009.

Goals

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