Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona summary: score, goals, highlights | El Clasico

That brings an end to our coverage of the game tonight. Cheers for your time and stay with AS for the post game reaction and fall-out to the humbling 0-4 El Clasico defeat for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

EL CLASICO

Real Madrid-Barcelona: what is the biggest ever win in El Clásico?

So, despite the fact that Real Madrid's points advantage may ensure the league title as only 9 games remain, a humiliating 0-4 reverse a home to main rivals will be a major blot on the copybook as the season is now set to really heat up with the final stretch of season and Champions League quarter finals imminent. A black night for the black clad side as Auba (2), Araujo and Ferran Torres found the net for a rampant Barcelona side with Xavi's version of the side a heck of a lot different to the Barça under Ronald Koeman.

Busquets post-game:

"We wanted to dominate the game from the start and that's what we did. We've been controlling games recently and could have even won by a bigger margin. We have a game in hand over Madrid and you never know what happen in football. Our next step is to overtake Seville who we play next at Camp Nou after the FIFA break"

Nacho post game:

"The result tells the full story. Although it hurts to lose a Clasico. Maybe we were too relaxed with the points cushion at the top of the table. Everything went wrong for us on the night. We never got going and congratulations to Barcelona but we are still leaders and we'll bounce back from this setback."

El Clásico: full time summary

Barcelona fell short of a manita in the Bernabéu but still provided a slap in the face for the champions elect as Xavi’s side tore Real Madrid to pieces to end a run of five Clásico defeat in some style. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his excellent form with a brace and his strike partner Ferran Torres added another to his tally to cap a fine night for the visitors, who went two up from the head of Ronald Araújo.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side were never in the game and to call it a contest would be a stretch: Barça genuinely looked capable of scoring every time they approached Thibaut Courtois’ goal and only the Belgian’s reactions prevented an even more humbling scoreline.

In the greater scheme of things, Madrid won’t be too bothered about the result. Sevilla’s latest stumble keeps Ancelotti’s side firmly in the Liga driving seat and if Barça fans are tempted to gloat, their Madrid counterparts need only point to which European competition the respective clubs are in the quarter-finals of.

Ancelotti will doubtless put this down to a bad night and concentrate on securing the league title as swiftly as possible, while pointing to the absence of Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy, but for Barça and Xavi it seems a corner really has been turned, driven by Aubameyang – arguably the best January signing in Europe – and Ferran Torres, another new arrival.

A second-placed finish is a real possibility for Xavi, something that looked unlikely in the extreme when the former midfielder took over, and on this evidence Barcelona will be a domestic force to be reckoned with again under his tutelage next season.

That's it...the ref. calls time on the game and it's all smiles on the faces of the Barcelona players and squad ....long faces on the home side.

Barça prob as Madrid win the ball and find Mariano who has been pretty anonymous tonight in a rare appearance. Small group of FCB fans celebrate high in the fourth tier. The stadium emptying now as the Madridistas have had enough.

Three minutes of time will be added.

Asensio clipped by Alves and the ref stops the action as Madrid had the ball. Last minute of normal time at the Bernabeu. Fans heading for the exit signs in their droves now.

Lucas Vazquez scythes down Gavi and is carded for his trouble. Nico carded too in the same passage of play.

There has been limited rhythm in the last 10 or so minutes with the quick 3rd and 4h goals really killing off Real Madrid's aspirations.

Nico on for Pedri

More changes....Alba off and Dani Alves makes his 400th appearance for FC Barcelona.

Lucas Vazquez has a shot and steers the ball wide.

Xavi still bellowing instructions to his side as he is far from happy when his side concede possession. 0-4 ahead and the coach from Terrassa demanding 100% from his men.

Camera pans to Ancelotti and it's fair to say that the Italian coach does not cut a happy countenance. One of the most humbling nights for the manager in his two spells at the Bernabeu.

Camavinga fires into Busquets and is carded.

Great first half from the French winger who has lost his way a little in the second 45'

Change for Barça as Adama Traore is on for Dembele.

Courtois saves again, this time from a Memphis volley. Without a doubt the busiest night for the Belgian at the Bernabeu for some time.

Alaba works the ball to the byline and finds Asensio who drills the ball over the bar.

Less than 15' on the clock at the Bernabeu. The stadium is pretty silent with the only noise coming from RMCF Grada Fans.

Jordi Alba takes out Vini and is carded. The Brazilian is not in a great mood tonight. We've seen a few outbursts from the striker who is lacking is traditional beaming smile this evening.

El Clásico: analysis 15' from time

The visitors are in complete control and Ancelotti’s gambit of throwing on Asensio and Lucas Vázquez has had little effect. How Madrid are missing Benzema and, as much as nobody at the club would openly admit it, Gareth Bale, who at least provides a focal point for the attack and ties up defenders. Vinicius has been a spectator and Mariano has barely touched the ball since his introduction and there is little else at Ancelotti’s disposal. Barça have had had 15 shots, nine of them on target, as Auba and Torres run riot with six attempts each.

The visitors have a higher pass success percentage, have made more tackles, enjoyed more possession and forced more turnovers than the hosts, who will put this down to a bad night and move swiftly on.

LaLiga and all major leagues will take a break after this weekend for the FIFA window with Real Madrid facing an away trip to Celta Vigo on April. The following day Barcelona face Sevilla at Camp Nou.

Less than 20 remain at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid players will be anxious to see the clock run down and the full time whistle.

Barcelona set to make their first changes of the evening.....Memphis and Gavi set to enter the fray. De Jong and Auba making way

Possession: Real Madrid 37-63 Barcelona (%)

Asensio has certainly looked bright in his few minutes of action as there is a brief lull in the tempo of the game now.

Better from the home side as they string a series of passes together with the ball falling to Casemiro who strikes from distance and sees his effort zip well wide of Ter Stegen's post.

Another great chance for the men in yellow as Ferran Torres goes wide and the Belgian stopper is on hand to save well yet again.

Asensio comes on too and he replaces Rodrygo

Lucas Vazquez replaces Nacho

Modric carded as he clatters into Dembele.

The Bernabeu has been stunned into silence after an hour with the only noise being made by the white clad Grada RMCF fans sector behind Ter Stegen's goal.

Barcelona started the second half as they had ended the first, on top and threatening Courtois’ goal as Torres broke free and fired wide. Just seconds later he made no mistake as Madrid’s defence crumbled to put Barça 3-0 up. Ancelotti shuffled his deck at half time by introducing Mariano and Camavinga for Kroos and Carvajal and the immediate effect of that was Barça exploiting the right side of Madrid’s defence to make it three. Auba then made it four with a chip after Torres had found another gap in the home back line, Nacho all too easily brushed off, to compound Madrid’s misery.

From here, Ancelotti may well decide just to go for damage limitation. We’re going to boldly predict Madrid are not getting back into this one. The home side have been woeful at the back and offered nothing going forward. Ancelotti doesn’t get much wrong but his subs have not worked at all and Madrid look even more disjointed now than in the first half. Barcelona are using this as target practice and have had seven shots between the sticks. Madrid haven't managed one in the last half hour of play.  

Hard to equate this team tonight with the same team and venue as we saw in the Champions League second leg against PSG.... Hard to overstate how much Benzema's absence is being felt by the home side.

Rodrygo shoots and the ball is straight at Ter Stegen.

Lucas Vazquez getting ready to make an entrance for Real Madrid. Auba has a great chance to make it 5 but the No.25 steers the ball wide from close range.

Still over 30 minutes remain at the Bernabéu ... What impoact could this have psycholigically on Madrid?

Ferran Torres with the assist and Auba dinks delightfully over Courtois!

VAR now being consulted and it looks like Alaba may have played the Barcelona man onside.

The fans at the Bernabéu are starting to vent their anger. At present it's the match official who is on the receiving end ... the ball is in the back of the Madrid net yet again, but this time the flag is up

Top bins indeed !

RM 0-3 FCB

Auba back heels to Ferran who slots past Courtois. Great play from the visitors as they rob Madrid who are really not at the races tonight.

Barcelona make it 0-3 as Ferran Torres slots home the third.

Ferran breaks and is alone with Courtois... the flag was up as the striker drives the ball wide

Confirmed, Mariano and Camavinga are on with Kroos and Carvajal make way.

Mariano and Camavinga set to make an entrance as both players get instructions from Madrid's fitness coach.

All set for the second half as the teams make their way to the tunnel.

So, as things stand, Madrid's lead over Sevilla is 'just' 9 points. The Andalusian site have stuttered recently recording a series of draws in LaLiga recently (Alaves, Rayo and tonight against Real Sociedad). 

Sevilla's next game is an away trip to Camp Nou !

Possession at the break: RM 39-61 FCB (%)

Real Madrid without Karim Benzema are a different proposition with the French striker being keenly felt by Carlo Ancelotti's men as they trail 0-2 at half-time. Auba and Araujo with the goals with Dembele involved in providing both assists.

Rodrygo, Modric and Vini have yet to get going and Madrid look rattled as Barcelona move the ball around with poise and purpose and stare at their first setback at home in LaLiga since January 2021.

Whistles now from the crowd as the referee calls time on proceedings.

LALIGA

Is Ousmane Dembele staying at Barcelona?

El Clásico: analysis at half time

Barcelona lead at half time through two headers from Auba and Araújo with Xavi’s decision to start Dembélé paying off, the Frenchman providing both assists. He had one foot out of the Camp Nou door in January and credit is due to Xavi for bringing him back into the fold and eliciting increasingly effective performances from the winger who certainly didn’t come cheap. Madrid are suffering from the absence of Ferland Mendy on that side of the pitch and Barça are looking incredibly comfortable and good value for their lead at the break.

Madrid felt they should have had a penalty when Vinicius fluffed a golden chance in a one-on-one with Ter Stegen but that is as close as the Barça keeper came to having to make a save in the opening half after Valverde's early effort.

Alba almost finds Auba with the ball inches too high for the former Arsenal man. Have seen plenty of Real Madrid this season but never have they been so outclassed as we've seen in this first half.

Real Madrid staring at the first home defeat since 2021 (January) in LaLiga, where the lost to Levante UD.

Still along way to go and am sure we'll see a change in tactics from the Italian coach in the second half.

RM 0-2 FCB

Barcelona in control at the Bernabeu!

Poor defending from the home side as the blonde Uruguayan leapt unchallenged to nod home. Madrid are at 6s and 7s.

Vini looks for a spot kick as he felt he was fouled in the box by Ter Stegen. The Brazilian felt he was upended by the German and the referee waves play on. Fans unhappy with the decision as the Brazilian skipped away from the Barcelona defenders.

If anything, Vini was lucky to escape with no card as he certainly went to ground too easy

Auba almost makes it 0-2 ...From an acute angle, the Gabonese is denied by Courtois.

Real Madrid reeling in the opening phase and the game still being played in the half of the home side. Another interesting duel is that of Dembele-Nacho with advantage to the French winger.

RM-FCB

Barcelona go ahead in El Clasico.

El Clásico: analysis on the half-hour mark

Pedri is finding some space around the Madrid area and found Auba with a lovely dinked pass, Casemiro coming to Madrid’s rescue. Kroos is in the think of it now after a quiet start, picking up a booking for a foul on Busquets, as Madrid try to gain some control in midfield. In terms of possession, Barça are seeing more of the ball with over 60 percent while both sides have managed three shots on target to Madrid’s two, Auba’s goal in the 29th minute coming from a glorious cross from Dembélé after he left Nacho eating dust.

Busquets carded for a pull on Militao. Second Barcelona card of the night.

The visitors take the lead on the half hour. Great ball and great finish and deserved given the balance of play in the opening spell of the game.

Modric has not really got going tonight. Without doubt, one of the most elegant and creative central players in LaLiga along with the likes of Sergio Canales or Dani Parejo. When he ticks, Real Madrid tend to respond.

De Jong carded for a late challenge on Kroos. Ref tried to play advantage but we're now level with one card per side.

Barcelona totally bossing matters in terms of possession. The absence of Benzema is a major factor with the presence of the French man keenly felt tonight at the Bernabéu.

First card of he night is awarded to Toni Kroos as he collides into Busquets.

Barcelona certainly looking the more comfortable of the two teams, Dembele getting plenty of the ball and being offered generous amounts of space. Barça pulling the men in black all over the pitch.

El Clásico: analysis on 20'

Barcelona have wrested control of the ball and are threatening the Madrid goal now, Thibaut Courtois pulling off a fine double save from Auba and Dembélé. Ferran Torres also went close after a ball across the Madrid defence that nobody felt the urge to deal with.

Ancelotti appears to have formulated a kind of 4-2-4 to try and compensate for the lack of a striker and that is allowing Barcelona to control the midfield with Torres and Dembélé dropping back to make it a five across the centre of the park when Madrid are in possession.

That Vini Jr-Araujo contest is shaping up to be an interesting one on the right hand side.....

Ferran Torres....so close as the striker tries to bend the ball into the corner. Just failing to sneak the ball into the corner of the net.

Militao gives the ball away cheaply to Ferran Torres and manages to save his blushes by clearing for a throw-in. Barcelona now enjoying a sustained spell of possession.

A very open contest with decent openings already being created by both teams as we pass the quarter of an hour mark.

An electric pace to the contest as Vinicius breaks into the box and shoots straight at Ter Stegen.

Aubameyang with the best chance of the night as Courtois saves well from the strike from the Barcelona forward. The Gabonese should have done better but a fine stop from the Belgian international.

Aubameyang clatters into Kroos and he German gets to his feet with the Gabonese striker lucky to not get carded for a very late challenge.

Analysis on 10'

Real Madrid have started brightly, findings spaces on the wings in behind Araújo and Jordi Alba, with Fede Valverde providing a box-to-box option that Ancelotti’s regular midfield three lack. Rodrygo went close after losing his marker from a Valverde ball and The Uruguayan stung Ter Stegen’s hands from a Vinicius pass.

Ancelotti’s decision to play without a striker to accommodate an extra midfielder is paying off at the moment, Valverde repaying his manager’s faith in kind.

Miscue from the peroxide blonde Ronald Araujo tonight with the Uruguay international selected instead of Dani Alves for the match

Pique clears from the Kroos corner and eventually Barcelona clear the ball and avert the danger with Madrid knocking on the door now.

Both Dembele and Vinicius looking sharp and full of energy tonight. Vini feeds Valverde and forces Ter Stegen to tip wide for the first corner of the night.

First time we've seen Dembele on the ball tonight as the French winger feeds Torres and the new recruit unable to find a fellow man in yellow.

Great work from Fede Valverde as the central player marauds into the Barcelona half and feeds Rodrygo but the Brazilian screws his shot wide.

Does feel a bit odd to see El Clasico being played out between a side in black and the other in predominantly yellow....

Barcelona enjoying a sustained early spell of possession as whistles ring out with the partisan home crowd doing their bit to intimidate the visitors.

Torres scythed down by a man in black and Barcelona win a free, the ball falls to Torres but the former Man City man drives high and wide.

Off we go, Barcelona start the action

A minute's silence to pay tribute to former FCB president Raimon Carrasco.

So, Real Madrid to stamp their authority on LaLiga and cement their status as champions elect or FC Barcelona to prove to he world that they are real contenders after a dismal start to the season that ultimately led to the dismissal of Ronald Koeman.  

The teams are in the tunnel with a packed crowd (60,000 reduced capacity given the ongoing works on the stadium). Madrid in black and Barcelona in their all yellow with red stripes as the 'Hala Madrid' club anthem greets the sides.

Vini Jr-Dembele

A head-to-head snapshot between both strikers with Vinicius Jr. having an excellent season for Real Madrid.

LALIGA

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Ter Stegen names his best XI

Xavi's first 'El Clasico' fixture in his reign at FC Barcelona. Tita Vilanova was the most recent FCB debut coach to record a win over Real Madrid back in 2012.

Final sprint session for Barça

The Barcelona starters go through their final drill with kick-off at the Bernabéu looming.

All blacks vs red and yellow Barça

A Clásico is synonymous with the white shirted side from the capital (Los Blancos/The Whites) facing Barcelona in their azul-grana (blue and burgundy) but not tonight !!!

Real Madrid will sport a special limited edition 120th anniversary black shirt with this prompting Barça to wear their red and yellow 'Senyera' kit.

Both sides come into the game on the back of excellent results. Madrid have progressed to the quarter-final of the Champions League and their prize for ousting PSG in dramatic fashion is a tie against current UCL holders Chelsea.

Barcelona too have progressed in the Europa League and after eliminating Galatasaray, Xavi's men will face Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in the last eight.

Xavi: 'Even if we win, the league is out of sight'

For Xavi, tonight's El Clasico represents an opportunity to lay down a marker and confirm that Barça are, almost, back. Following the failures of the Quique Setién and Ronald Koeman experiments, Xavi has restored pride to Camp Nou, as well as a healthy dose of coherence to the side’s play in the wake of the Dutchman’s incessant tinkering and Setién’s belief that attack will always trump defence.

Despite recent good form, the coach from Terrassa recognised that even a win tonight for the Catalan side won't change the outcome to the title winners.

Madrid on a high as Ancelotti praises Xavi

With 11 matches to play, Madrid are on a high and have a LaLiga-European Cup double in their sights.

Carlo Ancelotti said he was wary of Barca's current form, on a four-game winning streak and playing with a lot of confidence.

"I believe coach Xavi Hernandez is doing a great job," Ancelotti said.

"You can see that Barça's identity is there and didn't change. It is a team with a very clear style and Xavi embodies it perfectly. Barcelona have improved a lot, they are in a good dynamic."

FT: Sevilla 0-0 R.Sociedad

Sevilla draw yet again at the Sanchez Pizjuan against Real Sociedad and cut Madrid's lead to nine points ... a win for Ancelotti's men at the Bernabeu tonight and 'Los Blancos' will open a 12 point game with just 9 games left in the 2021-22 season.

Busquets primed for El Cláscio no. 43

The Barcelona captain will overtake his head coach Xavi Hernandez in the 'most El Clasico games played' ranking tonight with the 33-year-old racking up 43 games against Real Madrid. Once again Leo Messi leads this particular ranking with the striker from Rosario having faced Real Madrid in 45 'El Clasico' contests.

Fortress Bernabéu

Real Madrid have the best home record in La Liga this season, winning 10 and drawing four of their 14 matches. The hosts haven't been beaten at the Bernabéu since a 2-1 defeat against Levante in January 2021.

The Real Madrid squad met up this morning at 11:45 at Valdebebas and spent the afternoon together. FC Barcelona arrived in the Spanish capital this morning at 11:00 and will head back to the Catalan capital after the game. Both teams will be given some time off as the international players head off with the FIFA window imminent.

Dani Alves on cusp of game 400 for FCB

Dani Alves will start El Clasico on the bench tonight with the Brazilian veteran just one game away from his 400th appearance in the famous azul-grana shirt. The 38-year-old is the second in the FC Barcelona 'foreign legion' making the second most appearances ever for the Camp Nou side, behind Leo Messi with the Argentine having played for Barça on 778 occasions.

Real Madrid hold a commanding lead at the top of the Spanish league table and a win tonight, by no means definitive, would see Ancelotti's side cement their title claims.

After this week's round of fixtures, just 9 games remain in the 2021-22 LaLiga campaign.

El Clásico: match official

Juan Martínez Munuera has been selected by the Spanish FA to officiate tonight's LaLuga clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. This will be the Benidorm born referee's second El Clasico. He was on duty at Camp Nou last time both sides faced one another as Real Madrid ran out 1-2 winners.

Barça: Team news

The Catalan side will start with: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Pique, Eric, Alba, Busquets, De Jong, Pedri, Ferran, Auba & Dembele

Nacho given captain's armband

In the absence of French striker Karim Benzema, who has been ruled out of the game through injury, Nacho Fernandez will captain Real Madrid this evening at the Santiago Bernabéu. A huge night for the lifelong fan of the club.

El Cláscio returns to the Bernabéu 749 days later

749 days have passed since the last meeting between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu with the Covid-19 pandemic forcing games behind closed doors as Madrid temporarily relocated to their Valdebebas training centre as refurbishment work at the famous stadium was (and still is) ongoing.

On the March 1st meeting (2020), goals from Vinicius and Mariano helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 win.

Real Madrid XI

So, the Real Madrid front line will be led by the Brazilian duo of Vini Jr. and Rodrygo (in place of the injured Benzema)

el Clásico

Why will Real Madrid play in black as the home team in El Clásico?

Blacks vs Red & Yellows

A Clásico is synonymous with the white shirted side from the capital (Los Blancos/The Whites) facing Barcelona in their azul-grana (blue and burgundy) but not tonight !!!

Real Madrid will sport a special limited edition 120th anniversary black shirt with this prompting Barça to wear their red and yellow 'Senyera' kit.

Despite the fact that Real Madrid hold a comfortable lead, this game rarely disappoints and will either see Ancelotti's side cement their title credentials or Xavi's side confirming their resurgence since the Terrassa born coach took over in late 2021.

Real Madrid face FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu with the game starting at 21:00 (local time) / 4:00 pm ET.

Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage in arguably the biggest domestic game in world football !