Barcelona romped to a dominant El Clasico triumph on Saturday as two goals from Luis Suarez inspired them to a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Rafael Benitez had vowed to attack the La Liga leaders and he named Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez in his starting line-up, but it was Barca who took the lead when Luis Suarez fired beyond Keylor Navas, with the returning Lionel Messi watching from the bench.
Neymar made it 2-0 shortly before the break and a stunning goal from Andres Iniesta put the champions firmly in charge early in the second period before Suarez’s delicate finish made it four after Messi – who came on in the 55th minute – had fed Jordi Alba.
Madrid’s players never looked comfortable in Benitez’s deep-lying set-up and the front three were isolated throughout, though Claudio Bravo denied Cristiano Ronaldo superbly late on.
Substitute Isco was sent off for kicking Alba as he ran clear in the closing minutes, allowing Barca to ease to an emphatic victory.
The result means Barca are now six points clear of Madrid at the top of the table and piles further pressure on Benitez’s shoulders ahead of a crucial few weeks before the winter break
