Barcelona vs. Real Madrid result: El Clasico goes to Real on goals by Alaba and Vasquez

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Simon Borg
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• 13 min read
David Alaba - Real Madrid - October 24, 2021

Real Madrid is simply a cut above FC Barcelona this year. The Merengues went into the Camp Nou and showed their class in a 2-1 El Clasico win, scoring first and holding off a Barcelona team that struggled to create chances. Real Madrid goes top of the La Liga table, while Barcelona is in 9th place, five points behind their rivals.

Barcelona started strong with Ansu Fati leading the charge and the match could’ve taken a turn in Barcelona’s favor when U.S. international Sergino Dest had the goal at his mercy, but skied his attempt in the 25th minute. That left the door open for Real Madrid, which began to exert more pressure through the runs of Vinicius Junior, whom Barcelona struggled to contain.

It was Vinicius who started the counterattack that led to Real Madrid’s opener in the 32nd minute. He fed compatriot Rodrygo, who then slotted a through ball into space for David Alaba, who was making a marauding run into the attack from his center back position. Alaba applied a striker’s finish past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen.

MORE: Who are the FIFA Ballon d'Or finalists?

Barcelona brought in a host of subs, including attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho and forwards Sergio Aguero and Luuk de Jong, but it failed to create much. It was Real Madrid which found a way to seal the match in stoppage time when Lucas Vasquez put away a rebound after a shot from Real Madrid sub Marco Asensio was saved by Ter Stegen.

Aguero’s late goal for Barcelona moments later on a cross from Dest was too little too late and the final whistle came seconds later.

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid final score

  1H 2H Final
Barcelona 0 1 1
Real Madrid 1 1 2

Goals:
RMA — David Alaba (Rodrygo) — 32nd min.
RMA — Lucas Vasquez — 93rd min.
BAR — Sergio Aguero (Sergino Dest) — 97th min.

(All times Eastern)

Final: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 2

97th min.: Kun Aguero scores! Sergino Dest with the cross and Aguero puts it away with a clinical finish, but it's too late. This game is about to end.

93rd min.: Real Madrid goal! That's it for this one. Lucas Vasquez scores just moments after Gerard Pique wanted a penalty called on the other end. The shot by Marco Asensio is stopped by Ter Stegen, but the ball goes right to Vasquez for the easy finish.

91st min.: Courtois is going to continue. Meanwhile, seven minutes of stoppage time! Real Madrid brings on Dani Carvajal for Federico Valverde.

90th min.: Thibaut Courtois goes down. Something's up with his right knee (his plant leg) after a clearance. The trainers are on the field to tend to him.

87th min.: SUB - Vinicius Junior is done. He ran himself into the ground and it showed in the second half. Marco Asensio on for him.

85th min.: SUB - Another forward comes on for Barcelona. Luuk de Jong in for Gavi. We'll see if they can create chances for them.

84th min.: It's been a bit since Barcelona has threatened. It's a header from Sergio Aguero, but he can't get high enough to head it down and it's not on target.

77th min.: Sergi Roberto comes in for Frenkie de Jong in midfield.

74th min.: Just moments after Sergino Dest nearly scores, Kun Aguero comes on for Ansu Fati. We'll see what the veteran can do.

72nd min.: Real Madrid can't put the game away. Benzema can't convert a cross from the left. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti brings on Federico Valverde for Rodrygo.

62nd min.: There's Benzema with a chance. His shot is central and it's stopped by Ter Stegen. Both sides creating chances. Next goal is going to be huge.

60th min.: Sergino Dest gives the ball away to Vinicius, but then recovers to get the ball back before Vinicius can inflict any damage.

58th min.: Hand ball in the Real Madrid box! The ball strikes the arm of Toni Kroos on a challenge against Frenkie de Jong, and Barcelona want the penalty. The referee doesn't give it and Gerard Pique is booked for protests.

49th min.: In four minutes he's been on the field, Coutinho has been involved, helping to win a corner and generally creating danger. Meanwhile, Fati gets another shot off in the box, but goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is right there to grab it at the near post.

47th min.: SUB - Ronald Koeman is going for it. Philippe Coutinho is in at halftime for Oscar Mingueza and Sergino Dest takes over at right back.

46th min.: Second half is underway and Ansu Fati already with a cross from the left that goes through the Real Madrid box.

Halftime: Barcelona 0, Real Madrid 1

Halftime: It's been a good, competitive first half. Barcelona started strong and Ansu Fati looked up for it, but then Vinicius Junior began to take over with his runs down the left and then with the pass that launched the goal move. Barcelona missed a great chance through U.S. international Sergino Dest just moments before that goal. That's how close this game has been, but Vinicius is clearly the best player on the field so far and that's been the difference.

44th min.: Ansu Fati takes a shot in the box and it's Alaba with the block. Barcelona close to the equalizer just before the break.

35th min.: Another Barcelona chance! Gerard Pique's header off a Depay corner goes wide left. That was close.

32nd min.: Goal Real Madrid! In a quick transition, Vinicius finds Rodrygo with a cross-field pass and he feeds Alaba who was making the breakout run from his center back position. He let loose a left-footed shot that beats Ter Stegen. Great move by Real Madrid.

25th min.: What a chance for Sergino Dest! All alone in the box and he skies it. A cross by Depay is dummied by Fati, who left it for him. Wow.

24th min.: Vinicius again in the box and he's dancing around while Ter Stegen chases him. His shot is blocked. Meanwhile, this is what happened after that last episiode in the box:

21st min.: Vinicius goes down in the box on a challenge from the right back Oscar Mingueza. It looked like a penalty because Mingueza bumps him, but the referee looks the other way.

14th min.: A Vinicius run down the left side of the Barcelona box is stopped before he can get a cross off. Eric Garcia stuffed him. Two straight corners for Real Madrid don't generate any danger.

7th min.: Strong start by Barcelona. It's actually Ansu Fati operating down the middle of the attack. Memphis Depay is wide left, where he likes to operate.

3rd min.: Fati down in the Real Madrid box! After a Casemiro giveaway, Ansu Fati is put through in the box, but he's nudged off the ball. No penalty call from the ref.

1st min.: Ansu Fati kicks off. El Clasico is underway.

10:14 a.m.: Tifo by the Barcelona supporters "Barca forever":

10:04 a.m.: The atmosphere outside the Camp Nou:

9:47 a.m.: Sights and sounds from the warmups:

9:37 a.m.: Real Madrid shooting for three straight wins at the Camp Nou:

9:33 a.m.: A glimpse of the Camp Nou as it begins to fill up for El Clasico:

9:28 a.m.: A reminder just how different this El Clasico will feel. It's been a long time without Messi or Sergio Ramos.

9:06 a.m.: Gavi is the youngest player to start El Clasico ... this century.

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Starting lineups

Ronald Koeman will miss two starters in center back Ronald Araujo (hamstring) and central midfielder Pedri (quad), while forward Martin Braithwaite (left knee) is out with a long-term injury. Jordi Alaba recovered from a foot sprain and got the start. Ousmane Dembele's long-awaited return is scheduled to happen in midweek against Rayo Vallecano.

FC Barcelona starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Marc Andre ter Stegen-GK — 22-Oscar Mingueza, 3-Gerard Pique, 24-Eric Garcia, 18-Jordi Alba — 21-Frenkie de Jong, 5-Sergio Busquets, 30-Gavi — 2-Sergino Dest, 9-Memphis Depay, 10-Ansu Fati

FC Barcelona subs (12): 26-Inaki Pena-GK, 13-Neto-GK, 20-Sergi Roberto, 31-Alejandro Balde, 15-Clement Lenglet, 23-Samuel Umtiti, 6-Riqui Puig, 14-Philippe Coutinho, 28-Nico Gonzalez, 11-Yusuf Demir, 19-Sergio Aguero, 17-Luuk de Jong

Real Madrid is also missing a few players: Gareth Bale and Dani Ceballos are the long-term injury absences, while Luka Jovic and Isco have been training on the side. Lucas Vasquez retains the right back spot, but the regular at the position, Dani Carvajal, is now available off the bench. Eden Hazard, who has returned to normal training, is on the bench.

Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Thibaut Courtois-GK — 17-Lucas Vazquez, 3-Eder Militao, 4-David Alaba, 23-Ferland Mendy — 10-Luka Modric, 14-Casemiro, 8-Toni Kroos — 21-Rodrygo, 9-Karim Benzema, 20-Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid subs (12): 26-Luis Lopez-GK, 13-Andriy Lunin-GK, 6-Nacho Fernandez, 2-Dani Carvajal, 5-Jesus Vallejo, 12-Marcelo, 15-Federico Valverde, 25-Eduardo Camavinga, 27-Antonio Blanco, 7-Eden Hazard, 24-Mariano Diaz, 11-Marco Asensio

How to watch Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 24
  • Time: 10:15 a.m. ET
  • TV Channels: None
  • Streaming: ESPN+

The match will only be available in the USA via the ESPN+ streaming service, which holds exclusive rights to La Liga. There will be a Spanish- and English-language stream as with all La Liga matches on the platform. There will be an El Clasico pregame show on both ESPN2 and ESPN+ an hour before kickoff at 9 a.m. ET.

MORE: How Real Madrid & Barcelona are faring in Champions League

The match will be staged at Barcelona’s Camp Nou, which was greenlighted by local authorities to be open to fans at full capacity. It’s the first time that a crowd will be at the Camp Nou to witness a Clasico since December 2019.

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Betting tips & prediction

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Pick: Karim Benzema any time scorer (+115)

With the emotions at play in this game and both back lines experiencing their fair share of defensive nightmares this season, there’s no telling which direction this game could go. Barcelona is missing its best defender in Ronaldo Araujo and the left back position is up in the air with Jordi Alba in doubt. Meanwhile, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has made defending a key point of emphasis for his club entering the match.

MORE: Who is Barcelona's new teen star Gavi?

Barcelona will be under pressure from its home crowd to attack and chase the win, which could open up spaces for Real Madrid’s in-form forwards. Karim Benzema will be in the best position to take advantage, and he’s also Madrid’s designated penalty taker. To get him at +115 to score in what should be a wide open game is hard to pass up, especially in the form he’s shown (goals in five of Real Madrid's past eight games) as he builds a case for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award.

It's worth noting he has scored in a quarter of the Clasicos in his career:

Prediction: Barcelona 0, Real Madrid 2

  • Moneyline: Barcelona +145 / Draw +270 / Real Madrid +175
  • Spread : Barcelona +0.5 (-195) / Real Madrid -0.5 (+170)
  • O/U 2.5 total goals: Over -160 / Under +130
  • Both Teams To Score: Yes -210 / No +155
Author(s)
Simon Borg Photo
Simon Borg

Simon Borg is a senior editor for football/soccer at The Sporting News.