Real Madrid vs Barcelona result: Vinicius Jr leads Clasico victory
![Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior celebrates his goal](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2020/03/01/23/VJ.jpg)
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Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Real Madrid showed their character by beating Barcelona 2-0 in Sunday's top-of-the-table 'Clasico', leapfrogging their rivals at the La Liga summit after a week in which their pride had taken a beating at home and in Europe.
Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr scored the opener in the 71st minute with a strike that deflected off Gerard Pique, flummoxing goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen who had made some jaw-dropping saves, and substitute Mariano added the second in added time.
Real's victory means they lead the standings on 56 points after 26 games, with Barca slipping to second spot on 55, while Zinedine Zidane's side also crucially have the better head-to-head record in the event both sides finish level on points.
Real swallowed chastening defeats by Levante in La Liga and Manchester City in their Champions League last 16, first-leg tie in the past week but in the second half they overwhelmed Barca, threatening on numerous occasions before breaking the deadlock.
"We deserve our victory for everything we did, in attack and defence," Zidane told reporters. "It has been a complicated week for us and we had the chance to turn things around and we did that.
"But this win also doesn't change anything. We have a long way to go and we have to continue. We've got three important points but we'll have more difficult games and we will be criticised again."
Barcelona had bossed the first period and twice could have taken the lead but were powerless to stop Real after the interval and their impotence was summed up when Lionel Messi raced towards goal but was easily tracked down by Marcelo.
Marcelo's tackle got as loud a cheer as the goals from Madrid's fans who had not been able to toast a league win over Barca at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2014.
The long-awaited victory was confirmed by an unlikely source in forward Mariano, who had only just come off the bench to make his first league appearance of the season.
Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets believed his side deserved better.
"We played very well in the first half then in an unfortunate move they score thanks to a deflection. We had a great chance to open up a big gap but it wasn't to be," he said.
"There's a long way to go in the season and we have to remember the positive things and how well we played in the first half."
Barca coach Quique Setien had remarked before the game that Real were under greater pressure to win after they had surrendered a three-point advantage over Barca by drawing with Celta Vigo and losing to Levante.
They were left further frustrated by their 2-1 home defeat by Manchester City which has seriously jolted their hopes of remaining in the Champions League and put Zidane back under pressure for the second time this season.
The first half was end-to-end but lacked quality.
Barcelona created clear sights of goal for Messi and Arthur Melo, both of whose efforts were well saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid's main threat was the electric but raw Vinicius, who routinely got down the left but rarely knew what to do next.
Real looked far more determined in the second half, and Isco forced Ter Stegen into an outstanding flying save and then saw a downward header scrambled off the line by Pique.
The missed chances galvanised the home fans, however, who could sense their team were close to an opening.
There was a touch of fortune to the deflected opening goal, but Real's victory was thoroughly deserved.
When is it and what time is kick-off?
The match kicks off at 8pm on Sunday 1 March at the Santiago Bernabeu.
How can I watch it online and on TV?
The match will be broadcast live on LaLigaTB in the UK, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Sky and Virgin customers can sign up for both Premier Sport channels and LaLigaTV for £9.99 a month, while Sky subscribers can get LaLigaTV on its own for £5.99 a month.
What is the team news?
Eden Hazard has been ruled out after suffering another injury to his ankle, while Marco Asensio remains sidelined. Luka Jovic has been left out of the matchday squad, while Rodrygo is suspended.
Barcelona are still struggling with numerous injuries, as both Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele remain out until the end of the season. Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba and Arda Turan will also miss out.
Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Isco, Benzema, Bale
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Firpo; Arthur, Busquets, De Jong; Vidal, Messi, Griezmann
Odds
Real Madrid 6/5
Draw 5/2
Barcelona 21/10
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
24 mins: Isco is making his 200th La Liga appearance for Real Madrid. He has not scored or set up a goal in his eight Clasicos before today.
Barcelona are starting to find their feet halfway through the first half. They're happy to keep hold of the ball and slowly buil an attack. Real can't get it back.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
27 mins: Carvajal slots the ball down the right wing for Valverde. He runs onto the ball and whips a cross into the middle of the box. Benzema is the target but the ball runs through the area.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
30 mins: Griezmann gets into the box for Barca, he draws the centre-backs into him and slots the ball out ot the right for Messi. Messi runs onto the ball and shoots but the shot is straight at Courtois who makes the save.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
33 mins: Marcelo manages to keep the ball in play as he runs it to the byline. He crosses it into the box but Barca get it clear. Jordi Alba plays the ball down the left side and swings it into Arthur. He shrugs off Kroos as he makes his way into the penalty area. Courtois is quick off his line and he sticks out his left hand to deny Arthur when the shot comes.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
36 mins: Messi sends a direct cross into the box as Vidal makes a darting run through the middle. Varnae is aware of it and get in front of Vidal to head the ball away.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
39 mins: Busquets sends a ball over the top for Messi. He finds some space in the box and runs into it. Messi has only Courtois to beat and he shoots but the Real Madrid goalkeeper makes the save!
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
42 mins: Barcelona spend a lot of time in their build up play and Real Madrid latch onto the end of an attempted backheel to win the ball back finally. Some slick passing from the away team but no penetration and no threat on goal.
Real Madrid 0 - 0 Barcelona
45 mins: The first half comes to a close. Benzema and Griezmann had great chances to open the scoring but neither one was taken. The 180th El Clasico is all square at the break.
The Catalans are in turmoil despite sitting pretty at the top of La Liga:
Real Madrid have failed to score in the first half of nine of their last 11 La Liga matches.
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