Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona: Player ratings as Barça romp to Clasico victory
Xavi's new-look Barcelona team came of age on Sunday evening as they waltzed to a 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in El Clasico.
Barça were in control at the Santiago Bernabeu from start to finish with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbing a brace, with the other goals coming from Ferran Torres and Ronald Araujo.
The game got off to a breathless start with the two teams trading blows. Amid the chaos, Barcelona carved out a golden chance with Torres squaring to Aubameyang, who fired too close to Thibaut Courtois.
The visitors continued to threaten and deservedly took the lead in the 29th minute when Ousmane Dembele left Nacho for dead before drilling a cross onto the head of Aubameyang, who guided an effort into the net.
After Aubameyang missed a decent chance to double his side's advantage, Real immediately streamed down the other end the other end where Vinicius Junior threw himself to the ground in an attempt to win a penalty, but the referee waved away his emotional appeals.
The drama kept on coming before the break too, as seconds later Barça made it 2-0. Ronald Araujo was the scorer, rising high at the front post to flick home Dembele's corner. Soon after the home side were jeered off by their own fans as they headed down the tunnel.
The one-way traffic continued after the interval with Barcelona adding a third with a stylish counter-attack. A flurry of yellow shirts galloped forward after a turnover and Aubameyang's backheel eventually found an arriving Torres who caressed a shot into the top corner.
Not long after Barça were celebrating again when Torres controlled a long ball and slipped Aubameyang through, who made no mistake on this occasion.
After their fourth went in the visitors seemingly showed some mercy, stroking the ball around with ease to protect their lead. There were a few more opportunities though, with Dembele showing good strength to hold off a challenge and passing an effort just wide.
The victory leaves Barcelona 12 points behind leaders Real in La Liga with a game in hand.
Here are your player ratings from a shocking night in Madrid...
Real Madrid player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
Thibaut Courtois (GK) - 4/10 - Stopped things becoming even more embarrassing for his side by making a few decent saves.
Dani Carvajal (RB) - 2/10 - Looks well over the hill at this point. A new right-back should be on Real's shopping list this summer.
Eder Militao (CB) - 1/10 - Caught the eye with some decent passes early on, but that doesn't really matter when your defending is this embarrassing.
David Alaba (CB) - 2/10 - There were huge holes in the defence throughout, but particularly on his side.
Nacho (LB) - 2/10 - Embarrassed by Dembele in the build-up to the first goal. The Frenchman streamed past him with ease for most of the game.
2. Midfielders
Casemiro (DM) - 2/10 - Bizarrely rubbish. Barcelona player streaked past him all night.
Federico Valverde (CM) - 4/10 - Real's best midfielder. He was the only one who did look like he was running through treacle.
Toni Kroos (CM) - 2/10 - Tracking runners was a big problem for the veteran. Could not get his side going on the ball either.
Luka Modric (AM) - 2/10 - Looked every bit as old as his 36 years as the youthful Barcelona midfield buzzed around him.
3. Forwards
Rodrygo (RW) - 2/10 - Missed an early chance and did naff all else.
Vinicius Junior (LW) - 3/10 - Chose to dive in the first half when he could have scored. Idiot. Needed to do more in the final third and clearly missed partner-in-crime Benzema.
4. Substitutes
Mariano Diaz (ST) - 4/10 - Did not change his side's fortunes.
Eduardo Camvinga (CM) - 4/10 - As above, really.
Lucas Vazquez (RB) - 5/10
Marcos Asensio (RW) - 5/10
Barcelona player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK) - 6/10 - Read Vinicius' attempts to win a penalty well and smartly pulled out a challenge. Read long ball in behind expertly.
Ronald Araujo (RB) - 8/10 - Surprisingly fielded ahead of Dani Alves and it proved to be an inspired move. Scored and was only beaten by Vinicius once or twice.
Gerard Pique (CB) - 7/10 - Rarely tested by the opposition. A very comfortable evening.
Eric Garcia (CB) - 7/10 - Has had his critics but was composed here and passed the ball nicely.
Jordi Alba (LB) - 7/10 - Some incredible touches. Unlike long-time adversary Carvajal, he is aging gracefully.
6. Midfielders
Frenkie de Jong (CM) - 8/10 - This is why Barcelona signed him. He barely misplaced a pass all night, nipping around everywhere to link the play.
Sergio Busquets (CM) - 7/10 - Provided his side with a solid base, something Real were sorely lacking.
Pedri (CM) - 9/10 - A ridiculous performance. Ran El Clasico aged just 19-years-old.
7. Forwards
Ousmane Dembele (RW) - 8/10 - Irresistible. He is making it very hard for Barcelona to accept parting ways with him this summer.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) - 9/10 - Scored a brace but should have had about six. Still, at least he was getting in the right areas. His backheel to set up Torres was the stuff of dreams too.
Ferran Torres (LW) - 8/10 - Busy in the first half where he should have got an assist and bent an effort just wide. Got a deserved goal after the interval.
8. Substitutes
Memphis Delay (ST) - 6/10 - Chased everything.
Gavi (CM) - 5/10
Adama Traore (RW) - N/A
Nico (CM) - N/A
Dani Alves (LB) - N/A