Real Madrid win 2-1 at Barcelona in first post-Messi ‘El Clasico’

David Alaba and Lucas Vázquez scored as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday within the rivals’ first conflict for the reason that exit of Lionel Messi.
Defender Alaba turned goal-scorer within the thirty second minute with an exquisite curling shot from the left aspect of the realm that the outstretched Marc-Andre ter Stegen couldn’t cease.
His strike got here minutes after American Sergiño Dest squandered Barcelona’s finest probability of the match when he despatched his close-range shot hovering over the crossbar.
Vázquez added a second purpose in stoppage time on a counterattack with Barcelona desperately thrown ahead searching for an equalizer.
Sergio Agüero pulled one again for Barcelona on a cross from Dest within the last seconds.
The victory moved Madrid to the highest of the Spanish league, degree on factors with Sevilla and Real Sociedad. Sociedad can reclaim the lead when it faces defending champion Atlético Madrid later Sunday.
The defeat was one other blow to Barcelona which has struggled since its monetary troubles saved it from re-signing Messi and different gamers. Ronald Koeman’s crew was left in eighth place at 5 factors adrift.