Barcelona 5 Real Madrid 1: Luis Suarez bags hat-trick in El Clasico to torment toothless rivals
Home side prove they have what it takes to win the big matches without talisman Lionel Messi
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ON A weekend where the footballing world united, Julen Lopetegui must feel very, very alone.
His Real Madrid side lost for the fifth time in their last seven matches. This time it was El Clasico. It was Barcelona. The enemy.
In the absence of a certain Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez stepped up with a sublime, VAR-assisted hat-trick between Philippe Coutinho’s opener and Arturo Vidal’s header.
Marcelo’s goal threatened an unlikely comeback early in the second half but the results leaves Real Madrid ninth, seven points off LaLiga leaders Barcelona, and Lopetegui in serious danger.
Barcelona’s opener only intensified the confusion over Luis Enrique’s snubbing of Jordi Alba. The left-back latched on to Ivan Rakitic’s clip over the top.
His touch was magnificent, killing the ball dead, and his delay in squaring for Coutinho sublime.
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It gave the ex-Liverpool star an easy finish as Thibaut Courtois and Sergio Ramos scrambled across goal to no avail.
Arthur almost ensured legendary status in the city when he pounced on Ramos’ error ten minutes later but his curling effort was well saved by Courtois.
Raphael Varane appeared to get away with his clumsy challenge on Suarez. But with VAR in use for the very first time in El Clasico, referee Sanchez Martinez made the most of it to have another look.
There was then an air of inevitability about what would come next as he pointed to the spot. Suarez made no mistake with the penalty, firing past Courtois to double Barca’s lead.
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Real’s incompetence of recent weeks was took centre stage for the world to see and they were fortunate not to find themselves further behind at the break - Gerard Pique headed back across goal but went just wide before Suarez squandered a three-on-one counter.
A switch to a back three at half-time, dragging off Varane and dropping Casemiro into defence brought immediate success.
The Brazilian started the move which culminated in his international team-mate Marcelo, who ended the goal drought a week ago, stretching to volley in and silence the Nou Camp.
To say Lopetegui’s side started the second half like a different team would be a gross understatement.
Luka Modric, on the brink of the Ballon d’Or, somehow almost brought his side level but hit the inside base of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s left post.
Barca were visibly rocked, on the ropes, as Isco’s first-half impersonator made way for the playmaker to show his class.
Crucially, though, the hosts survived and came within inches of restoring their two-goal lead when Sergi Roberto teed up Suarez but this time the Uruguayan found the upright.
Karim Benzema sent a free header inside the six-yard box harmlessly over. It was Real Madrid's golden chance of an equaliser. Ramos knew it. He fell to his knees. And they were made to pay for it 15 minutes from time.
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Ousmane Dembele, fresh off the bench, was involved before Roberto set up Suarez once again. This time the Uruguayan, taking extra responsibility in the absence of Lionel Messi, found the net, craning his neck back to head past Courtois.
He completed his treble in style, latching on to a through ball and dinking over the onrushing Courtois - a world-class finish to round off his world-class performance.
Yet there was still time for more. Arturo Vidal headed in from close range as the Nou Camp sarcastically cheered Lopetegui’s name.
Barcelona were excellent, Real Madrid abysmal. An utter humiliation and that was with Messi watching on.