The first Clasico of the 2015-16 season occurred at the Bernabeu on Saturday evening, with Real Madrid welcoming Barcelona to the Spanish capital in Spain's top flight.
Barcelona, who entered the match with a three-point lead at the top of the La Liga table, took an 11th-minute lead in Madrid courtesy of a clever finish from Luis Suarez, before Neymar made it 2-0 late in the first period.
The visitors then made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute when Andres Iniesta found the top corner following a flick from Neymar.
The Catalan side were not finished, however, and added a fourth late on through Suarez to make it a miserable evening for Real Madrid, who also had Isco sent off late on.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! There are big games, and then there are big games. This is the latter. The first Clasico of the 2015-16 season is upon us as Real Madrid welcome Barcelona to the Bernabeu. It is the visitors that will enter this match in the Spanish capital with a three-point lead at the top of the table, despite the fact that Real Madrid have only lost once this season. These matches are always special and we are once again in position for, hopefully, another memorable game between the two giants of Spanish football.
Kickoff is not actually until 5.15pm UK time here, but be sure to stay with me for all of the build-up over the next couple of hours. The team news should be with us in around an hour and it will be just fascinating to see who both managers have selected. Is Lionel Messi going to start for the visitors? It would be a big surprise following such a long lay-off, but you just never know. Only time will tell!
As for the hosts Real Madrid, the likes of Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema are all injury doubts, but Navas and Ramos are both expected to start. A certain Cristiano Ronaldo will also feature in an attack that should also include Gareth Bale. There are simply too many good players on show tonight for this to be a bad game. I might well have just jinxed it, but I hope not.
Tonight will be the 171st league meeting between these two teams. Real Madrid lead the way with 71 wins, while Barcelona have won 67 and the further 32 have finished level. Incredibly, Real Madrid have scored 278 goals during those games to Barcelona's 268, which is an indication of how close they have been throughout history. There is just no downplaying this game. It is a massive football match.
Unsurprisingly, it is a fixture that has generally been dominated by the home team. Real Madrid have won 52 of their home games against Barcelona, losing just 18 times. At Camp Nou, Barcelona have recorded 49 wins and lost just 19. It might well be a flip of a coin tonight in the eyes of many people, but the statistics do say that home advantage is very, very important in this fixture.
The good news for us is that each of the last nine Clasicos in La Liga have seen both sides score, which is actually the longest run since 1946-1952. Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last 22 home games in Spain's top flight, meanwhile, recording 19 wins in the process. What's more, they have only conceded one goal in their last five league matches at the Bernabeu – some record that is.
That said, Barcelona have now scored at least once in their last 15 away games in the league. Those numbers suggest that there will be goals this evening and it is difficult to see a 0-0 occuring with the amount of talent both sides possess in the final third. Rafael Benitez might well be more focused on defensive aspects, but the home supporters will demand an attacking performance.
Somewhat surprisingly, Real Madrid have actually only won two of their last seven home league games against Barcelona – losing four times in the process. Taking that further, Barcelona have won on six of their last 12 visits to the Bernabeu in all competitions, which is some record. Victory for Barcelona tonight would of course see them open up a six-point lead at the top of the table.
Last season, Real Madrid were 3-1 winners at the Bernabeu in the league, while Barcelona won the reverse match at Camp Nou 2-1. Barcelona won both league games in the 2013-14 campaign, however, and also put a five-game winning run together against Real Madrid between December 2008 and November 2010. It would be fair to say that Barcelona have had the best of it in recent meetings.
The corresponding league game last season saw Luis Suarez make his long-awaited debut for Barcelona and the Catalan side made the perfect start through Neymar inside five minutes. A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty levelled the scores, however, before Pepe and Karim Benzema secured all the points for the hosts. At Camp Nou, Jeremy Mathieu and Suarez were on the scoresheet for Barcelona, with Ronaldo's 31st-minute goal proving a mere consolation on the night for Los Blancos.
Right, let us take a closer look at how both teams have fared thus far this season. Real Madrid opened their La Liga campaign with a 0-0 draw at Sporting Gijon, but responded with 5-0 and 6-0 wins over Real Betis and Espanyol to move onto seven points after three matches. Then came their Champions League group opener against Shakhtar Donetsk, which produced a 4-0 home win.
They made it five straight wins in all competitions with back-to-back victories over Granada and Athletic Bilbao in the league, but were then made to settle for a point at home to Malaga at the end of September. Benitez's side returned to winning ways before the end of the month, however, with a 2-0 victory in Malmo ensuring that they took control of their Champions League group after two games.
Los Blancos were minutes away from beating Atletico Madrid in the league at the start of October, but were ultimately made to settle for a point. Benitez's side returned to winning ways in their next match, however, beating Levante 3-0 on October 17. Then came a 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, before a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo continued their unbeaten start to the season.
The victories continued to arrive as they beat Las Palmas 3-1 at the end of October to consolidate first position in the table, before they secured their spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over PSG at the start of the month. Top spot in Group A is still very much open for discussion, but with two games to spare, Real Madrid are already in the round of 16.
It was all going very well for Real Madrid until November 8, when they needed to win at the Estadio Ramon to regain first spot from Barcelona in La Liga. The Spanish giants started like a house on fire against Sevilla and indeed took the lead through Sergio Ramos, but Sevilla hit back to ultimately win the match 3-2. It was a big blow for Real Madrid entering the poorly-timed international break.
As for Barcelona, they won the European Super Cup at the start of the season with a 5-4 victory over Sevilla, but were beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup. For a team that were so strong defensively last season during their treble-winning campaign, nine goals conceded in three matches raised some alarm bells at the Catalan club, that is for certain.
Luis Enrique's side got their revenge against Bilbao in their league opener, however, with a 1-0 victory at San Mames ensuring that they started the season with three points. A 1-0 win over Malaga moved them onto six points for the season, before they recorded a 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid at the start of September to continue their perfect start to their La Liga defence.
Their Champions League campaign opened with a 1-1 draw at Roma, before they made it four from four in the league with a 4-1 win over Levante. Their first La Liga defeat of the season came on September 23, when they were beaten 4-1 at Celta Vigo. Two victories did follow, however, with a 2-1 win over Las Palmas in the league followed by a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Europe.
The win over Las Palmas came at a price, however, with Messi suffering damage to his cruciate ligament. Since then, the Argentine has been on the sidelines with the knee problem, but is expected to be named on the bench tonight. In fact, we are not very far away from finding out whether that is indeed the case. The team news should be landing very soon indeed...
... BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Lionel Messi returns for Barcelona tonight, but only on the bench. It is Neymar, Suarez and seemingly Andres Iniesta as a front three for the visitors, with Sergi Roberto starting in midfield. Ivan Rakitic is also in the XI. Just waiting on the Real team news here!
Back to Barcelona's season for a moment, they suffered their second league defeat of the campaign at the start of October, with Sevilla recording a 2-1 win. Again they bounced back, however, with a 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano followed by a 2-0 win over BATE Borisov in the Champions League. Eibar were then beaten 3-1 at the Camp Nou as Barcelona continued to cope without their star man.
Their Copa del Rey defence got off to an underwhelming start as they drew 0-0 at Villanovense, but they will have the chance to put that right in the second leg next month. Since then, they have beaten Getafe and Villarreal in the league and all but secured qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 3-0 victory over BATE at Camp Nou. Still waiting on confirmed teams here!
Suspect this man is in the Real Madrid XI here, but who else. Still waiting on a word from Real!
Plenty of rumours about who starts for Real Madrid, but we are still waiting on the official news. It appears that James Rodriguez and Sergio Ramos both start, but this is unconfirmed!
TEAMS:
REAL: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; James, Kroos, Modric; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Roberto; Iniesta, Suarez, Neymar
Finally we have the confirmed teams from both! Navas returns between the sticks for the home team, while Ramos will play with a pain-killing injection in his shoulder. There is also a spot in midfield for fit-again James Rodriguez, while Karim Benzema also starts in the final third. It is an incredibly attacking XI, with Toni Kroos the only real holding player in their front six. Benitez going for it!
As for Barcelona, as mentioned, Messi returns, but is only on the bench. There are no real surprises in the XI this evening, with Neymar and Suarez once again continuing their partnership. It is Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano at the heart of the defence, while Claudio Bravo starts between the sticks ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The amount of goals in both XIs this evening is incredible!
So there we have it. The team news has been confirmed and we are now little over 30 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. There is simply no down-playing the importance of this match. As it stands, Barcelona top the La Liga table on 27 points, three clear of second-place Real Madrid. While this fixture will not be decisive at this point, six points would be a big gap at this stage.
What's more, if Real Madrid lose this match, Atletico Madrid would move above them with victory tomorrow, while Celta Vigo and Villarreal would also close on Los Blancos with wins of their own. It has been a strong start to the season for Los Blancos, but they cannot think about losing this match. Not only because of their position in the table, but for confidence and belief moving forward.
You sense that Cristiano Ronaldo needs to play well this evening if Real Madrid are to win. The 30-year-old has scored 15 Clasico goals and would move past Raul in the all-time top scorers list against Barcelona with one strike in this game. Alfredo di Stefano is currently Real Madrid's all-time Clasico scorer with 18 goals and Ronaldo will have that record in his sights. It might not be that important in the grand scheme of things, but it would be yet another record for the Portuguese.
Ronaldo has been strongly linked with a move away from the Bernabeu in recent weeks, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United both linked with the attacker. His form has also been questioned this season, but the Portugal captain has scored 13 times in 15 appearances. I sense that a few managers wish their best players were in similar 'bad' form with those kind of statistics.
As for Barcelona, Neymar and Suarez have thrived in Messi's absence. The pair have proved devastating since the end of September, with Neymar hitting 13 goals in 14 games this season, while Suarez has 13 in 17. They have been a real double-act in recent weeks and have simply proved too hot to handle. Real Madrid's back four will need to find a way of dealing with them this evening.
In terms of looking forward, Real Madrid will continue their Champions League campaign with a trip to Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, before travelling to Eibar in the league next weekend. They have some decent fixtures in the build-up to the winter break and victory this evening could well act as a springboard entering the festive break. Some serious faces on the Bernabeu pitch at the moment...
Barcelona, meanwhile, will welcome Roma to Camp Nou in the Champions League on Tuesday, before welcoming Real Sociedad in the league next weekend. It will be a busy December for Enrique's side, who will also compete in the Club World Cup. They won the competition last season, but it did seem to harm their form in the early stages of 2015. Kickoff is now just 15 minutes away in Madrid!
PREDICTION! Difficult, very difficult. Predicting Clasicos is always tough and that is again the case this evening. Barcelona are boosted by the return of Messi to their bench, but Real Madrid also welcome back a number of key players for this game. I think it might be untidy for spells, with tempers sure to run high, but I ultimately believe that it will be an entertaining 1-1 draw in Madrid.
As expected, security around the stadium has been increased following the terrorist attacks that stunned Paris last Friday. I am happy to report that there has been no trouble, or hint of any trouble, up until this point and the victims of that monstrous attack will be remembered before kickoff.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital this evening. There have generally been a lot of goals in recent meetings between the two teams, but I don't think that will be the case tonight. In truth, both managers would probably take a point if it were offered now.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff in the Spanish capital. As mentioned, before we start, the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks will be remembered. Football stands together once again. It is a massive game, but it does put things in perspective.
Football stands together - both squads, both managers - to pay their own tribute to the victims of the recent attacks in Paris. The French flag is being draped across the stands at the Bernabeu.
KICKOFF! You could cut the tension with a knife here. The home supporters are expecting a strong performance, but Barcelona will enter this match knowing that a win takes them six points clear at the top of the table. It is just a massive game and it is the visitors that get the action underway...
... Pique, as expected, is roundly booed the first time he takes control of the ball. Ronaldo and Bale both chase down Bravo, which sets the tone for this game. Down the other end, Suarez is chopped down the ground by Ramos, which sees both sets of players surround the referee. That was quick!
Well, this game has certainly started at full-throttle, with both teams chasing down their opposition each time they lose the ball. Barcelona had enjoyed a decent period of possession, but Real Madrid are now back in control. A super piece of work from Ronaldo wins the first corner of the match here.
Neymar drives down the left for the away side before attempting to deliver a cross into Suarez, but Navas is out to claim and Real Madrid break down the other end. There is just a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium as the match continues to flow from end-to-end. Super start here!
First real sight of goal for either side as Neymar finds space outside the Real Madrid box before striking one towards the top corner, but his effort was always rising over. It was super work from Suarez in the build-up, with the striker delivering a fine pass into the feet of the Brazilian.
Benzema, who is returning from a lay-off, has the chance to drive into the Barcelona box following some sloppy defending, but the Frenchman is caught out and the danger is cleared. Still 0-0.
CHANCE! Ronaldo shows Mascherano a clean pair of heels as he drives past the Argentine before fizzing a low cross towards Benzema, but Bravo gets strong hands on the ball to clear the box!
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona (Suarez)
First blood to Barcelona! The visitors take the lead in Madrid as Roberto drives through the heart of the Real Madrid midfield before sliding a pass into Suarez, who uses the outside of his foot to strike one into the bottom corner. It was a super pass and a super finish from the excellent forward!
Suarez and Neymar are having fun again this evening - these two are just delightful at the moment. Who needs Messi? That is obviously a joke, but Suarez and Neymar are both in top, top form.
Barcelona are in control of the possession at the moment, which is bringing whistles from the home supporters. Roberto again finds space inside the Real Madrid box before laying a pass back to Rakitic, but his effort is over the crossbar. Good grief Roberto has started this game in some form!
It is very early in this game and indeed in the season, but as it stands, Barcelona are going six points clear at the top of the table, which would be a big gap. Mascherano needs some treatment in the middle of the park after being caught by James in what was a fair, but strong challenge.
A deep cross threatens to cause problems inside the Barcelona box, but Ronaldo is penalised for grappling with Alves - both players were at it, but the referee blew for a Barcelona free kick.
Alba is the next player to go down following a clash with Bale, but the referee has not had to produce a yellow card in the opening 21 minutes. Not too much has happened in terms of chances since the opening goal, with Real Madrid just struggling for that elusive pass in the final third here.
James Rodriguez is having to come very deep to get the ball at the moment, which is not what the home supporters would have had in mind when they knew that the Colombian was starting. We have not seen too much from Bale and Benzema thus far, with Barcelona comfortably leading in Madrid.
BOOKING! James (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar and the visitors have a free kick in an excellent position here. What a chance to extend their lead to two...
... Neymar angles one towards the bottom corner, but Navas is on hand to make the save.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to make it 2-0 as the ball bounces for Roberto inside the box, but his effort is high and over the crossbar. He just leant back at the vital moment there!
It appears that Mascherano is going to have to come off here as the Argentine, who has been struggling with a groin problem since the early moments of this game, hits the deck once again.
BARCELONA SUB! Jeremy Mathieu is on to replace Mascherano here.
SAVE! Better from the home side as James finds space outside the box before striking one towards goal, but Bravo is on hand to make the save. Pretty comfortable in the end for the Chilean.
The match has really opened up in the last few minutes, with Navas forced to get down low to palm away a low cross from Neymar, who has been very dangerous in the opening 30 minutes. Neymar delivers the resulting corner towards Pique, but Navas is on hand to claim and indeed release Ronaldo.
BOOKING! Alves (Barcelona) is booked for chopping Ronaldo to the ground.
Alves was actually caught in the face by Ronaldo when making that challenge and takes his time before returning to his feet. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining in the Clasico.
So, there have been two yellow cards thus far and I suspect that the referee's evening is not finished when it comes to dishing out bookings. Not too much to report in terms of chances at the moment, but Barcelona are pretty comfortable. This first 35 minutes has just flown past in Madrid.
Alves has been in the wars this evening and the Brazilian again goes down following a challenge with Ramos, which was meaty to say the least. It is all getting very untidy at this stage.
CHANCE! Clear sight of goal for the home side this time as the ball somehow finds its way to Benzema at the far post, but the Frenchman has a fresh-air shot. Moments later, Bravo fails to deal with a high cross into the box, but following another period of panic, Barcelona clear their lines!
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona (Neymar)
Oh my goodness me! Barcelona double their lead at the Bernabeu as Neymar collects a super pass from Iniesta before rolling his effort under Navas. The Brazilian was very close to being offside, but the flag stayed down and the attacker made no mistake from inside the box. Just incredible scenes!
Benitez is a man under pressure and he looks worried on the sidelines as he sees Danilo chop Neymar to the ground. Barcelona are threatening to run away with this game at the moment.
Real Madrid just have not been allowed to put a glove on Barcelona here. The visitors have been too good, too quick, too strong. Everything has been quicker from Luis Enrique's side in Madrid.
Real Madrid look a team short of fitness at the moment, which is not much of a surprise considering the amount of players that have only just returned to fitness, some for this game.
Two additional minutes to be played at the end of this first period.
Barcelona are in control of the possession as we approach the end of the first 45 here.
OFF-THE-LINE! Unbelievable. Neymar and Suarez once again combine and it appears that Suarez is going to head home for 3-0, but Marcelo is back on the line to clear with his head. It was just sensational from Neymar and Suarez, who are too good at the moment. Too good for this planet!
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona
Good grief what a half of football in Madrid. Barcelona have just been out of this world in the first period, with goals from Suarez and Neymar leaving the visitors with a 2-0 lead at the break. The hosts have had a couple of bright moments, but as it stands, they are being completely dominated.
STATS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 61%, while they have had six attempts - three off which have been on target. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have only forced Bravo into one save and it was a tame strike from James. Just the two yellow cards issued in the first 45 minutes.
BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid boss Benitez has plenty of options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Isco, Casemiro, Jese and Kovacic all capable of making a difference. Barcelona, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Munir, Messi and Ramirez, but the visitors have already been forced into one change, with Mathieu replacing the injured Mascherano in just the 27th minute here.
RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. Can Real Madrid find a route back into this game? It is the hosts that get the second half underway...
... no changes from either manager at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 2-0 for the next 10, 15 minutes in Madrid.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to get back in this game as Marcelo rides a couple of challenges before advancing into the Barcelona box, but his low strike is wide of the post!
SAVE! Bravo is called into action for Barcelona to push a low James strike wide of the post. It was a stunning drive from the Colombian and this is much, much better from Real Madrid.
Bale is next to fire one over the crossbar as Real Madrid continue to force the issue in the early stages of the second period. One goal for the hosts and this becomes a different game. That said, a breakaway third for Barcelona and it is good night Madrid. Something is brewing - I can feel it.
BOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for chopping Roberto to the ground.
SAVE! Neymar bends a free kick towards the top corner, but Navas flies across his goal to make the save. Excellent free kick, but an even better stop from the Costa Rican. Still 2-0!
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona (Iniesta)
Game over. Time to go home. Well, not quite, but Barcelona have surely now won this game. It is Iniesta that starts and finishes the move, with the Spaniard rolling a pass into Neymar, who returns the favour and the skipper calmly finds the top corner. Looked simple, but it was not. Super goal!
CHANCE! Suarez comes close to making it 4-0 as he pokes one towards the bottom corner, but his effort hits the side netting. Oh look, here comes Messi. Good news for Real Madrid!
REAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces James for the home team.
BARCELONA SUB! Messi returns to the action in place of Rakitic.
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. Messi has a couple of early touches in the final third, but Real Madrid regain the ball and press forward. Little over 30 minutes of this contest remaining here.
REAL MADRID SUB! Dani Carvajal replaces Marcelo.
The home side continue to press forward and force a corner following good work from Carvajal, but Varane can only head into the arms of Bravo, who wastes no time in finding Neymar down the left.
What does this result mean for Benitez? He was under pressure entering this match and that will only increase. What's more, Real Madrid are, as it stands, six points off Barcelona in the table.
Bale wants a penalty as Pique appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested. It looked one to me! Both teams have had strong penalty shouts in this second period in Madrid.
The home supporters are calling for more from their team, but it is Barcelona that remain in control of the match. Losing 4-0 sounds a lot worse than 3-0 even though it is just one goal and another for the visitors would rub salt in the wound. Messi has a chance to make it four after being fed by Neymar, but the Argentine's goal-bound effort is blocked by Varane. Real Madrid are all at sea here!
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Real Madrid to register as Isco delivers a wonderful cross into the path of Ronaldo, but the 30-year-old's effort is blocked by the hand of Bravo!
It seems strange that this match is over as a contest with still 20 minutes remaining. That situation has created a strange atmosphere inside the stadium, with the home supporters very quiet rather than whistling their team. It could yet get worse for the hosts with plenty of football left to play.
Ronaldo hits the crossbar after driving through on goal, but the offside flag had been raised. Ronaldo has been more involved in the last 15 minutes or so, but we have seen very little from the likes of Bale and Benzema in this match. Both players are struggling out there at the moment.
Barcelona have a half-chance to make it 4-0 on the counter as Suarez lifts one over the onrushing Navas, but Ramos does enough to clear and actually divert the ball back into his stopper's arms.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona (Suarez)
Barcelona have their fourth as Suarez collects a through pass from Messi before clipping his effort into the corner of the net. Neymar was on for the square pass, but Suarez did it alone!
If Messi can return to full flow quickly and Suarez and Neymar continue in this form then we might as well all pack up and go home now. They are all too good. All three of them. Sensational.
BARCELONA SUB! Munir replaces Iniesta for the visitors.
Bale delivers a super pass into Benzema as Real Madrid threaten, but the striker was in an offside position and his first touch was also pretty poor. The Frenchman just is not fit. It is so clear to see.
SAVE! Better from Benzema as the Real Madrid forward meets a super cross from Carvajal, but his header is pushed away by Bravo, who has made some excellent stops in this game.
There has been a lot of talk surrounding Benitez's position at the Bernabeu and this will not help matters. Despite what has happened, it would be cruel to sack the Spaniard at this stage.
BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a poor challenge on Neymar.
RED CARD! ISCO!
It goes from bad to worse for Real Madrid as Isco is sent off for a really poor challenge on Neymar - catching the Brazilian when he was on his way. Terrible from the Spaniard and a deserved red.
So, 10 men and Real Madrid are 4-0 down. Anyone fancy a comeback late on? Not in this world, but it is nice to dream. Barcelona are in control of the possession as we approach full-time here.
CLOSE! Benzema's low strike comes close to being deflected into the bottom corner, but it just drifts wide of the post. That just about sums up the home side's night here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Barcelona to make it 5-0 as Neymar delivers a super cross into Munir, but his low effort is wide of the post. Really should have added gloss to the score there!
SAVE! Another wonderful save from Bravo as the Barcelona stopper keeps out a point-blank header from Ronaldo. Excellent goalkeeping once again from the Chilean number one!
Just the two additional minutes have been added.
BOOKING! Busquets (Barcelona) is booked for bringing Benzema to the deck.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona
So there we have it. Incredible night of football in Madrid as Barcelona run out 4-0 winners at the Bernabeu. The result has moved the visitors six points clear of Los Blancos at the top of the table and leaves a big question mark over the future of Benitez. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Be sure to stick around for all of the reaction from the Spanish capital!
