The first game in 2022 between Real Madrid and Barcelona turned out to be quite a nail-biter, where Real Madrid managed to prevail despite not being able to seal the deal during the first 90 minutes.
Carlo Ancelotti's men held the lead twice during the game thanks to goals by Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema, but Luuk de Jong and star replacement Ansu Fati leveled the game for Barcelona, forcing the teams to define the winner in extra time.
Once there, Fede Valverde's goal was enough for Los Blancos to seal their spot in the title clash set to be played on Sunday. Have a look at the defining moment of the game here (Image might be geo-restricted).
Valverde gives Madrid the lead in extra time of El Clasico! pic.twitter.com/b7SqMdV0OB
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 12, 2022
With this win, Real Madrid have earned quite a few bragging rights over their bitter rivals, including their 100th win against Los Culés across all competitions.
In case you had not noticed, this game represents the sixth El Clásico in a row in which Los Blaugranas have not been able to beat Real Madrid, with the last five ending in wins for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's last five games against Barcelona:
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 12, 2022
Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona
Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Barcelona 2-3 Real Madrid (AET)
pic.twitter.com/wkMN3TNxhi
5 - @realmadriden has won five consecutive games against Barcelona in all competitions for the second time ever, the first one since the seven straight wins between 1962 and 1965. Power.#ElClasico #SupercopaDeEspana pic.twitter.com/FwQNN7Cj2q
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 12, 2022
And now, over to the players, who also accomplished quite a few feats today. The first one of them has to be Karim Benzema, who has become the team's most decisive player and has now joined an elite list of players with his performance tonight.
1+1 - Karim Benzema has both scored and assisted in the same game against Barcelona for the first time in his @realmadriden career in all comps (38 appearances), becoming the first Real Madrid player to do so in #ElClasico since Sergio Ramos in May 2009. Super. pic.twitter.com/fiIMsrJayS
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 12, 2022
Last, but not least, Rodrygo Goes came off the bench to continue what has become quite an interesting streak when facing Los Blaugranas.
3 - Rodrygo has assisted in his last three El Clasico's, becoming only the second Real Madrid player to do so in in all competitions in the 21st century after Mesut Özil (twice, in Aug 2012 and Feb 2013). @OptaJose #rmalive pic.twitter.com/bQ8ZlC5wIb
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 12, 2022