Benzema and Kroos score as Real win El Clasico to go top (Match Highlights)

Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona: Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos score as Real win El Clasico to go top of La Liga table (Match Highlights)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jnr. close marking Barcelona captain Lionel Messi during El Clasico in La Liga. (Photo Credit: @LaLigaEN via Twitter)

Real Madrid go top of La Liga after win over Barcelona in an El Clasico on a rainy evening at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring with a brilliant flick as he made it nine goals in seven La Liga matches.

The home side doubled their lead before half-time as a Toni Kroos' free-kick was deflected past Ter Stegen in goal for Barcelona.

Oscar Mingueza reduced the deficit with an improvised finish before Real Madrid's Casemiro was sent off after receiving a straight red card.

Barca came close to equalising but Ilaix Moriba's shot came back off the crossbar in injury time.

The result moves Real above City rivals Atletico Madrid because of their better head-to-head record.

Though Atletico can go back to the top with a win away at Real Betis on Sunday.

Watch the full match highlights below:

 

The managers' reaction

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane said: "I feel very happy. We started the game very well. It was a very complicated match overall, but it was a deserved victory.

"I think we could have scored a third goal, but it's an important win. We did our job today."

📌 Zidane becomes the first @realmadriden manager to win 3 #ElClasico matches in a row since 1979.#LaLigaHistory pic.twitter.com/LOaZWHmWcy

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) April 10, 2021

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman said: "I think everyone who saw the game will see that we can be very unhappy with the result.

"I think we weren't good at all in the first 45 minutes. We weren't good in attack or in defence, but in the second half we improved.

"We need to be better when making key decisions. They're decisions that can cost us the game and in the end they did.

"I think we should have got a clear penalty towards the end, and I don't know why it wasn't reviewed by VAR."