Barcelona won their biggest victory ever against Real Madrid, winning by a decisive 4-0 margin at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. Luis Suarez was the star of the show, getting two goals, one in each half. Neymar and Andres Iniesta were the other goalscorers for Barca. Neymar got his third goal against Real Madrid in only 5 matches.
Incredibly, Barcelona were able to achieve this huge victory despite starting Lionel Messi on the bench. Manager Luis Enrique decided not to risk Messi from the start, who has been out of the game for a couple of months because of an injury.
Barcelon began with just two men upfront – Suarez and Neymar. The 4-man midfield looked robust with Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Iniesta and Sergi Roberto. The defense was as good as ever with Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba, followed by goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who had another great day in the office. Mascherano was replaced by Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu after suffering an injury.
Real Madrid went into the match all guns blazing, with a 3-man attack comprising of the three superstars, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. James Rodriguez featured in the midfield as well, making a return from injury, joining Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. The defense consisted of Danilo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Marcelo, with Keylor Navas doing the goalkeeping duties.
There was passion right from the start, with both sides trading early blows. But after Barcelona’s Luis Suarez scored a goal in the 11th minute, it was clear that there was going to be only one winner. Pique, who is one Barcelona player that Real Madrid fans hate the most, initiated the move that led to the first goal, which was finished expertly by the Uruguayan.
Real had their chances, such as a brilliant shot by James Rodriguez in the 28th minute which was saved by Bravo. Benzema had a golden chance a little later, but missed the opportunity badly. That was the last show of defiance from Real Madrid as it was all Barcelona from the moment Iniesta got the second goal in the 39th minute.
The third goal came as a result of a spectacular one-two combination between Neymar and Iniesta, with the Brazilian superstar finishing off with a smashing shot which was beyond goalkeeper Navas.
Real were already demoralized, but worse was to come as Messi came on in the 55th minute. There was little they could do after that and the fans were generally quiet, having seemingly accepted their fate. It was Messi who started a move in the 74th minute which culminated in another clinical finish by Suarez. 4-0, and that was it for Real Madrid.
What followed after that was deeply humiliating for Real Madrid owner Flotentino Perez, with the whole crowd at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, numbering 80,000, making their feelings clear, with cries of “Florentino out!” Real Madrid fans waves white cards and white handkerchiefs, which is a centuries old tradition of showing disapproval in Spain.
The Real Madrid players were told to “get lost” and worse, which cannot be printed here. The message is loud and clear, and it would be hard for Florentino Perez to remain in his position after having been humiliated in such a manner by his own supporters.
