MADRID
Two of Spain's top football teams clashed on Saturday as Real Madrid defeated rival Barcelona 3-1.
The match in Spanish premier football league La Liga's 9th week of the season at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night, dealt league leader Barcelona their first loss of the season, with the Catalan club finally conceding some goals.
Barcelona's Uruguayan star forward Luis Suarez, whose four-month-ban ended on Friday, made his debut in the game, while Real Madrid's Welsh star Gareth Bale could not play due to a buttock muscle injury.
Visitors "Barca" were off to a flyer after Neymar's leading goal in 3rd minute, with the score 1-0.
Real Madrid got the ball forward after Barcelona's early goal, and were awarded a penalty in 35th minute when Barcelona's Spanish centre-back Gerard Pique handballed in the area. Real Madrid's Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo converted it successfully, making it 1-1.
Dominating the game after the equaliser, Real Madrid came back in the 50th minute when Portuguese centre-back Pepe found the net, and the score was 2-1. Eleven minutes later "Los Blancos" (Real Madrid) French striker made it three. This goal clinched the triumph for Real Madrid.
Despite this defeat, Catalan side Barcelona maintained their leadership in the league table with 22 points. Victorious side Real Madrid climbed to runners-up position by increasing their points to 21 in standings.
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