Brazilian and Sanchez net in deserved victory over
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid.
Barcelona: Neymar stole the show from the likes of Lionel
Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale when the Brazilian’s strike set
Barcelona on the way to a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in Saturday’s El Clasico at
the Nou Camp.
In a La Liga match watched by millions around the world,
Barca landed a blow in the title race when Neymar scored a clinical goal in the
19th minute before substitute Alexis Sanchez netted with a brilliant chip 11
minutes from time in the 167th league meeting between the bitter rivals.
Jese Rodriguez came off the bench to pull a goal back in
the first minute of added time but it was little more than a consolation for
Real, who were outplayed for long periods and slip six points behind the
champions with 10 matches played.
Bale had an El Clasico debut to forget. After he was
surprisingly selected for just his second start since joining the club by Real
boss Carlo Ancelotti, he struggled to make an impression. Bale was replaced by
Karim Benzema on the hour mark and the Frenchman nearly made an instant impact
when he smashed the crossbar with 21 minutes remaining.
Bale’s inclusion was not the only surprise among
Ancelotti’s starting line up as Sergio Ramos was also moved into an unfamiliar
central midfield role.
The Welshman had Madrid’s first effort on goal with a
left-footed strike that sailed well over, but it was Barca who settled quicker
as Real struggled to come to terms with Neymar’s pace and trickery.
It was no surprise that it was the Brazilian who put
Barca in front when he collected Andres Iniesta’s pass inside the area and
sneaked his shot from a narrow angle inside the far post with the aid of a
slight deflection off Dani Carvajal.
The presence of Cesc Fabregas in the Barca side had
forced Lionel Messi into an unusual position on the right side.
However, the Argentine should have doubled the lead two
minutes later, when he was released through on goal only to
uncharacteristically slide the ball wide on his trusted left foot.
Bale then saw another wild effort from distance fly well
over, but Madrid did finally create a clear opening two minutes before the
break, when Ronaldo showed Dani Alves a clear pair of heels down the left and
Sami Khedira’s effort on the slide was brilliantly kept out by Victor Valdes.
Bale’s miserable first-half was rounded off in stoppage
time when he saw a yellow card for a high challenge on Gerard Pique.
Madrid started the second half brightly as their pressing
higher up the field unsettled Barca.
However, the visitors had Lopez to thank for keeping them
in the game as Javier Mascherano picked out Neymar with a wonderful pass in
behind the Madrid defence and his volley was beaten away by the keeper.
Ancelotti then introduced Asier Illarramendi for Ramos to
improve Madrid’s use of the ball in midfield.
Real’s pressing very nearly delivered an equaliser as
Luka Modric and Khedira robbed Iniesta before the Croat fed Ronaldo and his
rasping drive was turned behind by Valdes.
Bale was then withdrawn as Ancelotti sent on Benzema in
search of an equaliser.
Ronaldo was left furious with referee Alberto Undiano
Mallenco when he felt he had been bundled over by Adriano inside the area.
And seconds later Benzema nearly marked his entrance in
stunning fashion as he lashed an effort from outside the area off the underside
of the bar.
Sanchez ensured that Barca wouldn’t have to endure a
nervy final 10 minutes as he showed great speed to reach Neymar’s pass before
lifting a wonderfully judged lob over Lopez.
Jese gave Madrid a flicker of hope in stoppage time as he
collected Ronaldo’s pass to score low past Valdes, but Los Blancos didn’t have
time to mount another attack as they slipped to their second defeat of the
season.
Culled from Gulfnews
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