David Alaba has become only the fifth player to mark their first clásico appearance with a goal, opening the scoring before Lucas Vázquez made it safe against bitter rivals Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Sergio Agüero scored in the dying moments in response for the hosts.
The flying Austrian heaped more misery on Ronald Koeman, starting a swift counterattack that began just outside his own area before hurtling forward on the left. Rodrygo, receiving a cross-field ball in the home half, let Karim Benzema overlap to his right, and instead found Alaba in plenty of space on the left, where he smashed in a clean left-footed strike across Barça goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
Four minutes into a lengthy spell of stoppage time, another Real counter ended with Vázquez pouncing on a rebound from close range after Marco Asensio forced Ter Stegen into a fine save.
Shortly before the final whistle, Agüero reduced his side’s deficit, converting a Sergiño Dest cross. The result took Real top of La Liga, level on points with Sevilla and Real Sociedad. Sociedad, however, can retake first when they visit fifth-placed Atlético Madrid in the league’s late game on Sunday.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are down in eighth and could end the weekend in ninth if Real Betis beat Rayo Vallecano in the 5.30pm BST KO.
More to follow
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