Luis Suarez scored the winner as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Camp Nou on Sunday evening.
A 19th-minute header from Jeremy Mathieu had sent the home side ahead, but Cristiano Ronaldo levelled the scores after 31 minutes.
Both sides had chances as the match developed, but Suarez's effort early in the second period ensured that Barcelona would end the night four points clear at the top of La Liga.
Here, Sports Mole dissects the 90 minutes of action from El Clasico.
Match statistics
BARCELONA
Shots: 17
On target: 5
Possession: 52%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 9
REAL MADRID
Shots: 13
On target: 4
Possession: 48%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 14
Was the result fair?
Real Madrid had some very good spells at the Camp Nou, mostly towards the end of the first period and beginning of the second 45 minutes, but in truth, Barcelona did enough to deserve all the points on their own patch. As expected, the early moments were cagey as both teams attempted to find their way in the middle of the park, but it was Barcelona that struck first through a very unlikely source. It was Lionel Messi's delivery that Mathieu headed into the bottom corner as the home side drew first blood.
It should have been 2-0 just past the 30-minute mark when Suarez's mis-hit shot fell to Neymar, but the Brazilian placed his effort straight into the arms of Iker Casillas. Real Madrid were straight down the other end on the counter and scored an equaliser when Karim Benzema's excellent flick was finished into the corner by Ronaldo. Gareth Bale and Ronaldo both had opportunities to send the away side ahead late in the first period and Real Madrid's strong spell continued into the second half.
Again it was Barcelona that edged ahead, however, with Suarez finishing past Casillas. Both teams had chances as the match developed, but Barcelona were in control for long spells and would have scored at least once more but for some poor finishing and indeed excellent goalkeeping. Both teams had their moments during what was an end-to-end and fascinating 90 minutes, but there is little doubting that the right team picked up all the points. The statistics demonstrate that Barcelona edged the game overall and that is definitely a fair reflection.
Barcelona's performance
Barcelona had to play catch-up earlier in the season as Real Madrid hit top form, but it was the Catalan outfit that entered this match top of the table by one point. Sergio Busquets was only fit enough for the bench, but it was otherwise arguably Luis Enrique's strongest team. The hosts had a half-chance inside three minutes when Andres Iniesta set up Suarez inside the box, but excellent defending from the visitors kept the scores level. Mathieu's header edged them ahead after 19 minutes, but the response from Real Madrid was very strong.
Ronaldo levelled just past the 30-minute mark, but as mentioned, it really should have been 2-0 moments before when Neymar had a golden chance from close range. The match turned when Real Madrid found an equaliser and it was the visitors that looked the most likely to score a second during a period where both Messi and Suarez were struggling to make their mark. At 1-1, the third goal was always going to be vital and when it came for Barcelona, there was a change of atmosphere. Real Madrid started the second half on the front foot, but were hit by one long ball and an excellent finish from Suarez, whose movement proved too much for the away side's back four.
Real Madrid had bits and pieces on the counter-attack in the second period, but it was a half largely dominated by Barcelona. Neymar had a couple of golden chances to add to his El Clasico tally, but the Brazilian could not register. Messi also had a couple of long-range attempts in the latter stages as Barcelona took control of the match. Suarez will get the headlines after proving the match-winner, but both Mathieu and Gerard Pique were excellent at the heart of the defence, which has been so impressive this season. There is still a long way to go in the title race, but the Catalan outfit now have a four-point cushion over Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's performance
Just like with Barcelona, there were no real surprises in the Real Madrid XI, with Carlo Ancelotti grateful to have both Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric available again. They entered the match having won only one of their last four games in all competitions, but they beat Barcelona at the Bernabeu earlier this season and would have been confident of usurping the Catalan side at the top of the table. The game might have been very different had Ronaldo opened the scoring after 12 minutes, but the Portuguese rattled the crossbar from close range after good work from Benzema.
Playing Barcelona is difficult enough in open play, but Ancelotti will be furious with the fact that his team conceded from a set piece, with Mathieu allowed all sorts of time and space inside the box. Barcelona had their tails up following the goal, but great credit must be given to Real Madrid for the way that they managed to turn it around in the latter stages of the first period. Ronaldo got the equaliser, but the visitors really should have entered the break with a lead. Bale did find the back of the net from a Ronaldo flick, but the Welshman was correctly ruled offside. Bale was to have another excellent chance moments later, but the attacker lashed wide of the post.
Despite starting the second period on the front foot, Los Blancos did not really create enough clear chances. Benzema had a late effort pushed wide of the post, but both Bale and Ronaldo struggled to make their mark in the final 30 minutes, while Modric, Toni Kroos and Isco lost the midfield battle. Pepe was eventually brought off for Raphael Varane late on as the bookings continued to tally up, but the visitors did not have enough from the bench to change the game. In truth, there was not too much between the two teams at the Camp Nou, but Barcelona shaded it and Ancelotti will not be able to have many complaints with the result.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Gerard Pique: Perhaps a surprising choice for some, but Pique deserves this accolade for a wonderful performance. When Barcelona were struggling in the first period, the Spaniard made a number of crucial interceptions and was also prepared to drive his team forward. Suarez will get the headlines, but Pique was more important in this match. The defender has been in such fine form since the turn of the year.
Biggest gaffe
Neymar's miss moments before Real Madrid equalised did not cost Barcelona, but it was still a poor moment for the Brazilian. The ball fell to Suarez in a wide area and his mis-hit shot dropped straight into the path of Neymar, who had the seemingly simple task of firing home. Somehow, however, the attacker placed his effort straight at Casillas. As mentioned, Real Madrid went straight down the other end and equalised.
Referee performance
As expected, it was a busy evening for referee Antonio Mateu. However, all in all, the Spaniard can be pretty pleased with his performance at the Camp Nou. There were 11 yellow cards in total, but Mateu did not go to his pocket unless absolutely necessary and there can be few arguments with any of the decisions. The official was also unprepared to entertain any theatrics that occurred and allowed the play to flow.
What next?
Barcelona: Next up for the Catalan outfit is a trip to Celta Vigo on April 5.
Real Madrid: Los Blancos, meanwhile, host Granada on the same day.
Matt Law
