Karim Benzema opened the scoring as Real Madrid ran out 3-1 winners over Barcelona on a day when Robert Lewandowski fluffed his lines
The departures of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi might have taken some of the shine off El Clasico in the past couple of seasons, but Sunday's meeting between Real Madrid and Barcelona felt like it was going to be the reignition of the rivalry.
Many felt that Barca's summer of spending coupled with their impressive start to the Liga season meant that they were back on an equal footing with Madrid, the reigning European and Spanish champions.
It seems, though, that Xavi Hernandez's side still have some way to go after they were downed 3-1 at Santiago Bernabeu.
First-half goals from Karim Benzema and Fede Valverde put Madrid in control before Ferran Torres pulled one back late on, only for Rodrygo to score a penalty in the final minute to seal the points for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
But who had a Clasico to remember, and who will want to forget it quickly? GOAL breaks it down…
Getty ImagesWINNER: Karim Benzema
On the eve of him almost certainly picking up his first Ballon d'Or, Benzema reminded the world of just why he is still regarded as the world's best central striker.
Though his finish for the opening goal might have looked easy after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had parried Vinicius Junior's effort out to the edge of the area, Benzema still had a forest of Barcelona bodies to navigate a shot through.
He managed it – albeit via a deflection from Sergi Roberto – as he yet again stood up on the biggest stage to be a difference-maker for Madrid.
He had what would have been a brilliant second goal ruled out for offside in the second half, but even then it was clear that he is more than just a tap-in merchant.
Next stop for Benzema? Paris on Monday evening. There is a Golden Ball with his name on it waiting for him.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Xavi Hernandez
Despite the great strides Barcelona have taken since Xavi replaced Ronald Koeman as manager just under a year ago, the pressure has been growing on the ex-midfielder in recent weeks.
That went up another level in midweek after their dramatic 3-3 draw with Inter left them needing a minor miracle to make it out of their Champions League group, and now his first Clasico defeat as a coach will lead to further questions being asked of him.
That might seem unfair given the job Xavi has done in revitalising a squad that looked irreparably broken in Koeman's final days, but given the precarious nature of the club's finances, Joan Laporta is unlikely to be patient if things start to go badly.
To Xavi's credit, he made good substitutions that led to Barca's fightback, with Gavi, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres all involved in the Blaugrana's goal late on.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Fede Valverde
Valverde's quality is not really a secret anymore, though he continues to play second fiddle to some of the more famous names when it comes to analysing Madrid's biggest strengths.
But after his arrowed 20-yard strike lit up Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, maybe it will be the Uruguay international's face that starts to appear on the posters and adverts.
Whether it is part of a midfield three or on the right of the forward line, Valverde very rarely lets Carlo Ancelotti down, with his stamina almost as important as his quality on the ball.
That was clear in the final stages when he showed great energy to break away from three Barcelona defenders before playing in Rodrygo – the man he started the game ahead of – to win Madrid's late penalty.
Getty ImagesLOSER: Robert Lewandowski
Lewandowski certainly hasn't had a bad start to life at Barcelona, and his record of 14 goals in just 13 games is proof of enough of that.
He has, though, missed some big chances along the way, most notably away at Bayern Munich in the Champions League and then against Madrid on Sunday.
With the home side 1-0 up, Lewandowski was presented with a golden opportunity to level the scores midway through the first half when a drilled cross found him at the back post.
Lewandowski was stretching, but he would have expected himself to score from just a yard out rather than sky his effort high into the stands behind the goal.
Not a first Clasico to remember for Barca's prestige summer signing, then.