Luka Modric sealed a second-straight El Clasico win for Real Madrid after captain Sergio Ramos had put them ahead from the spot in the second half. Ramos’ penalty in the 63rd minute put Real Madrid 2-1 up after a frantic start to the clash in which both sides found the net within the opening 10 minutes. Federico Valverde opened the scoring for Real after Karim Benzema had pulled centre-back, Gerard Pique, out and played Valverde through on goal. But Real’s lead lasted for all three minutes before Lionel Messi found Jordi Alba on an overlap run down the left channel and he found Ansu Fati with a low cross, which the 17-year-old hammered home to create history. BAR 1-3 RMA, El Clasico, La Liga 2020-21 Highlights.

Fati became the youngest ever to score in an El Clasico and could have well ended with an assist had Philippe Coutinho buried his cross into the net. Deep into the second half and with Barcelona dominating possession, Fati found the Brazilian free on the far post with a delicate chip but Coutinho, with also Messi present in the box and waiting to pounce on a pass, headed wide. Ansu Fati Becomes Youngest Goal-Scorer Ever in the History of El Clasico.

But what looked Barcelona’s to take suddenly had Madrid leading after the referee checked the VAR screen and found Clement Lenglet guilty of pulling Ramos behind inside the box during a corner. The centre-back was booked and Madrid had a penalty from which the Ramos did what he does best – score.

Barcelona still pressed and found opportunities. Messi linked well with Alba on the left and Alba found Coutinho with a promising ball the Brazilian playmaker was wasteful all evening and once again shot wide. Messi then had a chance from a free-kick but he hit the wall and from a corner, Frenkie de Jong hit Casemiro’s head on goal-line before the changes were called on for Barcelona. Off went Fati, Pedri, Sergio Busquets but Coutinho, who certainly looked off-colour throughout the match, stayed on and Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Trincao came in for the final nine minutes. But the trio created nothing between them.

But as Fati and Busquets withdrew, Barcelona’s chances dried and Madrid grew into the game. Neto twice denied Kroos and then saved a half-volley from Ramos but couldn’t stop Modric, who moved away from the goalkeeper to nail the touching blow. Madrid have now won successive El Clasicos over Barcelona and also recorded their first El Clasico win of a new season at Camp Nou for the first time since 2007.

Barcelona remain winless in their last three league games and have now dropped down to 12th in the points table with only two wins in five. They have gone six points behind Real Madrid, who climbed to top with 13 points after six matches. Barcelona have also lost their last two league games.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 24, 2020 09:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).