Madrid 'dominate' to get better of Barcelona

An electric Santiago Bernabéu ramped up the volume from before the game and were rewarded with Real Madrid CF's comeback 3-1 victory in the first Clásico of the season.

The stadium had been silenced after only four minutes. Luis Suárez, starting his first competitive game for FC Barcelona, fed Neymar, who skipped inside and whipped the ball into the far corner to beat the despairing dive of Iker Casillas. It was Barcelona's quickest goal at the home of their rivals since 1986.

Madrid reacted well, Karim Benzema hitting the bar with a bullet header as the European champions pushed on in search of a leveller. Their desire to get back into the game almost saw them caught on the break as Suárez's cross found Lionel Messi on the edge of the six-yard box, only for Casillas to produce a stunning reaction save to deny the Argentina striker a record-equalling 251st goal in the Liga.

Los Merengues did not have to wait long to get back on level terms, Cristiano Ronaldo converting a penalty after Gerard Piqué handld in the area, becoming the first player in this season's Liga to breach Claudio Bravo's net.

A buoyed Madrid started the second half stronger, and were rewarded as defender Pepe rose highest to convert a Toni Kroos corner to put them ahead for the first time in the game. After the brief threat of a Barcelona fightback, a trademark counter then saw Karim Benzema add a third after smart interplay by Ronaldo and Isco, condemning the Blaugrana to their first league defeat of the season, their lead now down to one point.

Sergio Ramos and Luis Suárez©AFP/Getty Images

Reaction:
Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid coach
The side were strong and reacted well after conceding the early goal. We continued with our game plan. I liked a lot of things from the side and our attitude. We played well, and reacted well after Wednesday's game against Liverpool. We wanted to dominate possession and we did.

Sergio Ramos, Madrid defender
I'm very happy. The side were incredible all over the pitch and in all aspects, despite conceding. We had clear ideas, we dominated, not just in possession but also on the counter. It was a complete game.

Luis Suárez, Barcelona forward
I'm happy to be back playing, it's a big relief and I'm happy that the time has passed. It's a bittersweet feeling because of the result but this side has come back many a time.

It's difficult to play here but I did what I could. Everyone knows how Clásicos are played, the first few minutes are difficult, but football is like that. They played well on the counter after we went ahead and in doing so they were able to kill the game.

Luis Enrique, Barcelona coach
There wasn't too much difference between the sides. We started well, but we then gave away guilt edged chances. We could've made it 2-0 but didn't take our opportunity, and they got back into the game. In the second half we made errors, they played well and deserved the win. It just goes to show there are sides on our level, and perhaps even better.