El Clásico: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
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Barcelona secured their first Clásico victory in five games in all competitions after a 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Real Madrid on Saturday.
Barça forward Neymar and Madrid winger Gareth Bale made their debuts in this illustrious fixture at the Camp Nou.
After Sergio Busquets and Sergio Ramos had both been booked in the opening 14 minutes, the game began to settle into its rhythm with Barcelona controlling large parts of possession.
And the Catalans took the lead after 19 minutes when Neymar received a pass from Andrés Iniesta before placing the ball through the legs of two defenders on its way into the far corner.
Los Blancos thought they could have had a penalty just before the break as a Sami Khedira effort was well blocked by Víctor Valdés and the loose ball appeared to roll over Adriano's hand.
It took Cristiano Ronaldo 57 minutes to register his first effort on goal, but he was denied as Valdés made a great save down to his right.
Ronaldo then denied a penalty after going down following a challenge from Javier Mascherano, to the fury of Carlo Ancelotti and the Madrid substitutes.
Karim Benzema, who replaced Bale in the 61st minute, went closest to getting a goal back but his powerful strike crashed against the crossbar and bounced to safety.
Madrid were made to rue their profligacy as Alexis Sánchez came off the bench, raced through on goal, and executed a perfect chip over Diego López from the edge of the area.
Jesé Rodríguez pulled one back in added time after good work from Ronaldo, but it was too little too late for the visitors.
"It was very exciting to score a goal in a game that all players want to be involved in," Neymar told reporters after the game.
"I am very happy to score such a special goal, but I'm more pleased with the three points that we got."
Meanwhile, Ancelotti questioned whether his side should have been awarded a two penalties during the game.
"Naturally the penalty was very clear for me. I think everyone saw it, the only person that didn't see it was the referee," Ancelotti said in the post-match press conference.
"The handball? It's a difficult decision, but it was at an important moment in the game."
Reflecting on what was his first experience of a Clásico, the Italian added: "It's a fantastic game and atmosphere.
"I think it was a good game, we showed we can play well against a fantastic team. Of course you want to win this kind of game but at the moment we are improving and this game proves that."
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| Barcelona forward Neymar celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Real Madrid Photo: Getty Images |
Barça forward Neymar and Madrid winger Gareth Bale made their debuts in this illustrious fixture at the Camp Nou.
After Sergio Busquets and Sergio Ramos had both been booked in the opening 14 minutes, the game began to settle into its rhythm with Barcelona controlling large parts of possession.
And the Catalans took the lead after 19 minutes when Neymar received a pass from Andrés Iniesta before placing the ball through the legs of two defenders on its way into the far corner.
Los Blancos thought they could have had a penalty just before the break as a Sami Khedira effort was well blocked by Víctor Valdés and the loose ball appeared to roll over Adriano's hand.
It took Cristiano Ronaldo 57 minutes to register his first effort on goal, but he was denied as Valdés made a great save down to his right.
Ronaldo then denied a penalty after going down following a challenge from Javier Mascherano, to the fury of Carlo Ancelotti and the Madrid substitutes.
Karim Benzema, who replaced Bale in the 61st minute, went closest to getting a goal back but his powerful strike crashed against the crossbar and bounced to safety.
Madrid were made to rue their profligacy as Alexis Sánchez came off the bench, raced through on goal, and executed a perfect chip over Diego López from the edge of the area.
Jesé Rodríguez pulled one back in added time after good work from Ronaldo, but it was too little too late for the visitors.
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| Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after being denied a penalty against Barcelona Photo: Getty Images |
"It was very exciting to score a goal in a game that all players want to be involved in," Neymar told reporters after the game.
"I am very happy to score such a special goal, but I'm more pleased with the three points that we got."
Meanwhile, Ancelotti questioned whether his side should have been awarded a two penalties during the game.
"Naturally the penalty was very clear for me. I think everyone saw it, the only person that didn't see it was the referee," Ancelotti said in the post-match press conference.
"The handball? It's a difficult decision, but it was at an important moment in the game."
Reflecting on what was his first experience of a Clásico, the Italian added: "It's a fantastic game and atmosphere.
"I think it was a good game, we showed we can play well against a fantastic team. Of course you want to win this kind of game but at the moment we are improving and this game proves that."
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