Barcelona thrash Real Madrid in season’s first El Clasico

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Spanish league leaders Barcelona heaped more misery on a struggling Real Madrid side after defeating them 5-1 on Sunday at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona took an early lead through Brazilian winger Philippe Coutinho in the 11th minute before striker Luis Suarez scored from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark to double his team’s advantage.

Madrid came out into the second half with intent and grabbed a goal back on 50 minutes through Marcelo. However, they hit the post and missed a handful of chances before Barcelona eventually regained their two-goal lead after a bullet header from Suarez in the 75th minute.

Suarez completed his hat-trick in the 83rd minute before substitute Arturo Vidal scored four minutes later to give Barcelona a convincing 5-1 win.

Madrid has found life in La Liga difficult following the departure of manager Zinedine Zidane and the record transfer of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in the summer.

There are already rumors the club’s hierarchy will sack current coach Julen Lopetegui. The UEFA Champions League holders have only won four matches this season and find themselves outside of the top four ever since Lopetegui’s appointment ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

In the 272 meetings between the two sides in all competitions (including friendlies), Barcelona has won 113 matches while Real Madrid has won 99. Sixty encounters have ended in a draw.

However, in the 177 Spanish league encounters, Real Madrid edges it with 72 wins over Barcelona’s 71.

The teams have scored a combined total of 923 goals.

Regarding total trophies won across all competitions in their history, Barcelona leads Real Madrid 93 to 89.