Real Madrid ended a four-match losing run in the El Classico after seeing off fierce rivals Barcelona 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Zidane’s side outclassed the Catalans at home and is now top of the La Liga standings.
Los Blancos came into the match on the back of a two matches winless run that had seen them fall behind Barcelona in the title race. They started as the better side and should have gone ahead after nine minutes but Karim Benzema skied his effort from close range.
Lionel Messi was played through by Sergio Busquets late in the first half but the Argentine shot straight at Thibaut Courtois. Barcelona could not keep the ball as usual and this was a sign of things to come in the second period.
Real Madrid, sensing that Barcelona was there for the taking, upped the tempo after the restart and Isco had a header cleared off the line by the impressive Gerard Pique. The Catalans were finding life very difficult at the Spanish Capital.
Madrid got their reward with 20 minutes left to play when Toni Kross freed up Vincious Junior on the left. The Brazilian teenager drove and shot low, Pique had a slight touch of the ball which took it past the reach of the goalkeeper for the opener.
Late substitute Mariano Diaz sealed the win barely a minute after coming on with a snapshot in added time. Real Madrid is now a point above Barcelona in the table with 12 games left to play this season.