Philippe Coutinho gave Barcelona an early lead in El Clasico to pile the pressure on under-fire Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui. Madrid have drawn one and lost three of their last four league games, and fell behind in the 11th minute at the Nou Camp. Jordi Alba was allowed time and space on the left of Madrid's penalty area and pulled the ball back for Coutinho to side-foot it into the net from 10 yards.

Ramos flops
Barcelona almost doubled their lead on 18 minutes when Sergio Ramos was guilty of giving the ball away in a dangerous area but Arthur's fierce shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois. But the home fans did not have to wait long before their side made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, although it took the use of the VAR before the referee pointed to the spot, after Luis Suarez was brought down by Raphael Varane. Suarez took the penalty himself. Despite his assists for both goals, Alba continued to be given the freedom of Barcelona down the left and Madrid were grateful that his cross on 38 minutes was just too high for Suarez.