Lesson learned for Ancelotti as Real Madrid beats Barcelona

Published October 16, 2022 11:36 AM

By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid has won the first “clásico” of the season to take the lead of the Spanish league and give Barcelona another painful blow four days after the Catalan club’s hopes of advancing in the Champions League all but ended. Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde scored first-half goals and Rodrygo added another in second-half stoppage time as the defending champions won 3-1 on Sunday to move three points ahead of Barcelona. The rivals had entered the match tied on points with Barcelona ahead on goal difference. It was Madrid’s sixth win in the last seven “clásicos.”