Neymar makes mark as Barcelona upset Madrid with 20th home win
BARCELONA: Neymar scored on his Clasico debut as Barcelona opened up a four-point lead at the top of La Liga by overcoming Real Madrid for the first time in the league in four attempts.
Alexis Sanchez chipped the late goal which sent Real to a second defeat in four league games. Madrid’s Karim Benzema hit the bar before fellow substitute Jese Rodriguez scored a consolation in stoppage time after a break by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Gareth Bale started but has still to complete a full 90 minutes for Real in La Liga after being substituted on the hour.
Barcelona have won their past 20 home matches in La Liga, a run stretching 12 months.
The 24-year-old Wales international, a world record £85m signing from Tottenham last month, rarely threatened in his forward role and was booked for a foul on Barca defender Gerard Pique, one of seven cautions in a fiercely contested game.
Instead it was Neymar, who cost £36m less than Bale, who took centre stage. His third La Liga goal in 10 appearances settled a tense game that failed to live up to its billing as the most anticipated fixture in the world.
Madrid, now six points behind Barca 10 games into the season, did not come alive until after the interval.
Messi miss
By then the hosts had established the lead, Neymar’s composed finish rounding off a free-flowing move involving Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta.
Lionel Messi should have doubled the lead two minutes later but fired wide after sloppy play in the Real defence.
Madrid’s first chance of the half did not arrive until the 44th minute, Valdes denying Germany midfielder Sami Khedira from close range with his knee.
Valdes again came to his side’s rescue after Iniesta lost possession and Luka Modric carved out an opening for Ronaldo.
But after Benzema’s terrific strike rattled the Barca bar in the 72nd minute and Ronaldo had a penalty appeal waved away after a challenge by Javier Mascherano, Real were undone by the brilliance of substitute Sanchez.
The Chile international beat Lopez, who was standing off his line, from 20 yards with a perfect chip 12 minutes from time.
Madrid did find the net in stoppage time, Rodriguez firing home after being set up by Ronaldo.
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