Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo believes that the award of a penalty tipped the scales in Real Madrid's favour during El Clasico last night.

Barca took a fourth-minute lead at the Bernabeu, but they were pegged back when Gerard Pique's handball led to Cristiano Ronaldo dispatching from the spot.

In the second half, goals from Pepe and Karim Benzema secured all three points for the home side.

"We feel like we could have won. We started the match well and got a goal in our favour," Bravo told AS.

"But the penalty changed the game. We weren't able to take control in the second half and then Madrid went in front, and then sat back. It was more difficult."

Prior to last night's match, Bravo had not conceded a single league goal since joining Barcelona in the summer.