Barcelona moved 14 points clear of Real Madrid in LaLiga as three second-half goals wrapped up a convincing 3-0 victory at the Estadio Bernabeu.
Zinedine Zidane’s men had the better of a tight first period but Barcelona took control in the second and Luis Suarez swept home the opener before a Lionel Messi penalty took the game beyond Real.
It was a strange spot-kick award by referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, who could simply have awarded a goal rather than a penalty after Dani Carvajal handled on the line but then knocked the ball in as he lost his footing. The decision also saw Carvajal sent off.
Substitute Aleix Vidal added a third in stoppage time, and the title now looks almost certain to return to the Nou Camp as LaLiga prepares to enter its winter break.
Here’s our two good and two bad performances from the Bernabeu.
TWO GOOD
LIONEL MESSI
A class act.
The Argentine converted a second half penalty for his 17th goal against Real Madrid, more than any other player in La Liga history.
He oozed class throughout the contest and was a vital source of leadership to his side as they curtailed the influence of Ronaldo, Modric and Casemiro.
Looked a composed presence on and off the ball, and will prove critical for Ernesto Valverde’s side as the season progresses.
GERARD PIQUE
The Spaniard was at his menacing best, cutting down the impact of Karim Benzema and delivering a totemic display for the visitors.
He looked a composed and hungry presence, with a pass accuracy of 92.2% and seven key clearances.
In addition, he reduced Benzema to just 29 touches and two shots – the Frenchman’s lowest contribution so far this season.
TWO BAD
KARIM BENZEMA
The inconsistent Frenchman spurned two scoreable chances in the first half that could have put a different reflection on the match.
He had the best opportunity of the opening period when he met Marcelo’s cross with a bullet header that came off the post.
Although he was well marshalled by the impeccable Pique, he was unable to get space or on the ball in dangerous areas to engineer any sort of attacking threat.
He was replaced after 66 minutes for Nacho Fernandez.
DANI CARVAJAL
Although he was one of Real Madrid’s most industrious defenders with 68 touches, the 25-year-old was a villain in some respects.
He received a red-carded for handling the ball inside the box – gifting the visitors a penalty which Messi duly tucked away.
His stats may look glamorous but he was often out of place in his positioning – which offered Jordi Alba the chance to ghost in behind the defence at every opportunity.
