Valverde secure El Clasico victory over Xavi and Barca

Real Madrid welcomed Barcelona to the Bernabeu with plenty to lose at the top of the La Liga table, but Los Blancos emerged with all to gain as goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde, and Rodrigo secured a 3-1 victory.

Instead, it’s Barcelona who leave Madrid with yet another black eye, following the midweek Champions League calamity that likely sees them out of Europe’s top competition. Xavi's sorrows are compounded after suffering through similar defensive mistakes to the ones made against Inter just days prior.

Barcelona continue to make same defensive mistakes

Xavi has a lot of work to do to organize his injury-riddled defense. Barcelona's back line, anchored by Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia in the middle, were undone by the same mistakes over and over again.

Real Madrid carved Barcelona to shreds with vertical through-balls that broke the defensive line and found runners who snuck in behind the full-backs. Kroos and Modric both created multiple chances via this method, continually unlocking the Barcelona defense.

Real Madrid ease past Barcelona in Clasico win to go top of LaLiga

Real Madrid overcame rivals Barcelona with a 3-1 win at the Bernabeu to go three points clear at the top of LaLiga on Sunday.

The LaLiga champions took an early 2-0 lead through Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde before a Ferran Torres goal started a Barca.

The result compounded a miserable week for Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, who saw his side lose ground in the league title race after slipping to a disappointing Champions League draw in midweek.

Madrid remain unbeaten in LaLiga with 25 points, while Barca is in second place (22).

The hosts took the lead after 12 minutes through a swift counterattack that saw Benzema tap home after Marc-Andre ter Stegen blocked Vinicius Junior's effort.

Madrid doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break when Valverde found himself in space outside of the box and steered a fine finish past Ter Stegen.

Benzema thought he grabbed a second goal early in the second half, but it was ruled out for offside.

The visitors grabbed a goal back with 10 minutes remaining through substitute Torres after great work from Ansu Fati and Robert Lewandowski.

Madrid stepped up a gear and were awarded a penalty in the 90th minute when Sergio Busquets brought down Rodrygo.