LOC21:39
18:39 GMT
MADRID, Oct 25 (KUNA) -- Real Madrid came from being one down to thrash Barcelona, 3-1, in the first El Classico of the La Liga season at Bernabeu Stadium, and close the gap to one point behind their arch rivals at the top of the table.
The first start for Uruguayan star Luis Suarez, who was previously banned for biting an Italian player in the World Cup, was not enough to stop the form of the Madristas, who made their ninth successive win in all competitions on Saturday.
Neymar's opener scored early in the fourth minute was cancelled out half an hour later by Cristiano Ronaldo's shot on the penalty spot, after Gerard Pique was seen handling the ball inside the area.
Barcelona's series of clean sheets since the start of the league had not been compromised up until that point.
Real maintained their pressing in the second half, with defender Pepe heading at the 50th minute before wonderful team play between James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema led to a third at the half-hour-mark.
The intense rivalry between two of the best players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, saw the former score his 14th goal against the Catalans and his personal 16th goal in the ninth game of Real's league campaign. (end)
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