Real Madrid v Barcelona ratings: Vinicius 9, Benzema 8; Garcia 4, Busquets 4

Real go top with comfortable clasico victory that worries Xavi

REAL MADRID RATINGS: Andriy Lunin – 7 Continuing in goal with Courtois injured, Lunin was lucky that Lewandowski couldn’t tap in at his far post. He had a quiet game, but could do little to stop Ferran Torres’ strike to his low left corner in the second half. EPA

Dani Carvajal – 7 Calm and collected at the back, the Spaniard always had an eye on a counter-attacking opportunity. He saw one through ball get a handy deflection off Garcia’s head before releasing Junior for Valverde’s goal. AP

Eder Militao – 7 The Brazilian was excellent in reading Lewandowski’s movement, and he provided a constant barrier to keep the former Bayern Munich player at bay and prevent him having time on the time on the ball. Getty

David Alba – 7 A solid performance from Alba alongside Militao, who restricted Lewandowski and left Barcelona unable to threaten the goal. EPA

Ferland Mendy – 7 Created Real Madrid’s first opportunity at goal with a superb run on the flank before crossing in for Vinicius Junior. AP

Luka Modric – 7 The 37-year-old continues to belie his age. As part of Madrid’s midfield three, Modric looked calm and composed on the ball. AFP

Aurelien Tchouameni – 7 A terrific tackle on Lewandowski in the second half defined Tchouameni’s game, with the 22-year-old dominant in midfield throughout. EPA

Toni Kroos – 9 A 250th La Liga appearance for the German, he was terrific in the build-up to the first goal, holding off Busquets before poking the ball through to release Junior on a break. He had an opportunity to score just after the restart, but his effort flew over the crossbar. AFP

Federico Valerde – 8 Doubled Real’s lead despite Barcelona’s pressure with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. He was then notably straight back to defensive duties with a crunching tackle minutes later. AFP

Karim Benzema – 8 Ended his five-match drought in front of goal with an early strike after a terrific run by Vinicius, slotting home past Ter Stegen. He thought he’d doubled his tally in the second half but his strike was ruled offside. AFP

Vinicius Junior – 9 Close to opening the scoring after eight minutes when his shot went just wide. He should have tucked home when Kroos played him through, before Benzema scored on the rebound. He played a role in Real’s second when he sprinted on to Carvajal’s long ball and controlled while he waited for teammates. Booked. AFP

SUBS: Eduardo Camavinga (Modric 78’) – A crucial change in Real's midfield with Barcelona growing into the game. AP

Rodrygo (Junior 85’) – Fouled in the box by Garcia, Rodrygo managed to squeeze the ball past Ter Stegen to settle the game in stoppage time from the penalty spot. AFP

Antonio Rudiger (Carvajal 88’) – After recovering from getting 20 stitches following a clash of heads in the Champions League in midweek, the former Chelsea defender was brought on with a warm reception with the game won. AFP

Marco Asensio - Brought on to use up time. Reuters

BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 6 The keeper made a good save to prevent Vinicius Junior opening the scoring but he was left scrambling for Benzema’s rebound. Later, he had no chance in keeping out Valverde’s powerful strike. EPA

Sergi Roberto – 5 Had the tough task of dealing with Vinicius on the sprint and at times gave Mendy too much space on the wing. He was able to enjoy spells on the wing himself as Barcelona enjoyed periods of possession. AP

Jules Kounde – 5 Replaced Pique in central defence and added some stability to the back line, though could have done better dealing with Vinicius in the build-up to the second. AP

Eric Garcia – 4 Had an unfortunate involvement in Valverde’s goal when a long ball took a deflection off the Spaniard’s head, which fell perfectly into Vinicius's path. He showed good strength later on to keep Benzema from tapping in but was again at fault stepping on Rodrygo’s foot to see VAR reward a penalty. EPA

Alejandro Balde – 5 The 18-year-old replaced Alonso at left-back but had a tough task against Valverde and Carvajal before he was replaced early into the second half. AFP

Frenkie de Jong – 6 Given the nod instead of Gavi, De Jong was given plenty of space to drive forward and create opportunities, with Real notably backing off and allowing the Dutchman to test Lunin in the first half. EPA

Sergio Busquets – 4 The 34-year-old lost the battle in midfield to Kroos, with the notable moment being when he was unable to bring down the German and stop his ball through to Junior on the break. AFP

Pedri – 5 Started well, his early shot showing no threat before Benzema’s opener. Faded in the midfield, and couldn’t cope with Madrid’s movement. EPA

Raphinha – 5 Had the first shot on target of the game after good work by De Jong in midfield, his long-range effort comfortably saved. He was Barca’s most creative attacking outlet, and set up one opportunity for Lewandowski. Getty

Robert Lewandowski – 6 Should have scored the equaliser in his first competitive El Clasico when the ball ran to him at the far post before the on-form striker managed to fire over an easy tap-in. The former Bayern Munich forward could have got a goal back before half-time but his header went wide after a coming together with Militao. AFP

Ousmane Dembele – 6 The Barca forward was unable to convert a header from Sergi Roberto’s cross into the box and was unable to create much for Barcelona, his decision making letting him down. Getty

SUBS: Ferran Torres (Raphinha 60’) – 7 Came off the bench to give hope to his side and he was in the right place to tap home Fati’s cross into the box. AP

Jordi Alba (Balde 60’) – 6 Part of a trio of substitutions which seemed to kickstart Barcelona’s second-half improvement. AP

Gavi (Busquets 60’) – 7 The young attacker was full of energy during his cameo, attempting to create but also happy to put in the odd tackle to disrupt play. It was no surprise to see one of his recoveries create Torres’ goal. Went for goal with 10 minutes to go, but his effort took a deflection. Getty

Ansu Fati (Dembele 73’) – 7 Tested Lunin with Barcelona’s first opportunity of note in the second half with a strike from distance, and then created their consolation goal. Moments later, Fati attempted a cartwheel style shot, which went narrowly wide of the post. AP

Franck Kessie (Pedri 83’) N/R A late change for Barcelona still trying to find a way back into the game. AP

Barcelona coach Xavi said he is worried about the critical mistakes his team keep making that have derailed their Champions League campaign and led to a disheartening 3-1 defeat at rivals Real Madrid in the clasico on Sunday.

Real's Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo were all on target as the dominant hosts deservedly won to leapfrog their rivals and move three points clear at the top of La Liga.

"We are stuck in a negative dynamic, nothing works and maybe it's a moment to shake things up a little to try to get back on track," Xavi said. "We are not (playing) well. I can't be happy with almost anything, losing 3-1.

"We were doing very well in La Liga but we have to improve our forcefulness, aggressiveness. We had talked about it, that we had to learn how to stop the counter-attacks, and in the first goal they caught us in a transition."

Ratings from the match can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, just swipe.