After their sensational midweek Champions League defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk, Madrid provided the perfect comeback, going ahead after just five minutes when Karim Benzema played in Fede Valverde, who scored past Neto.

The lead lasted just three minutes as Lionel Messi sent Jordi Alba clear on to a long pass and he crossed for Ansu Fati to score.

But Madrid took the lead again when Sergio Ramos slotted his penalty beneath Neto after a VAR-reviewed shirt pull on him by Clement Lenglet on 63 minutes.

Luka Modric, who had come on as a substitute, scored the third for Madrid in the final minute.

It was an emphatic reaction from Real Madrid after two straight home defeats which put coach Zinedine Zidane under pressure.

Keeper Thibaut Courtois said: "Here we had the intensity that the manager wanted from us.

"We have to fight in each game when we wear this shirt. Today we did that. This is only three points but it gives us an awful lot of confidence."

Barcelona full back Sergino Dest, who made his first appearance in a Clasico and became the first American to play in the fixture, said: "I don't know if it was a penalty.

"They had chances and we had chances but they were may be a bit sharper in their finishing."

Barcelona will feel this was a great opportunity lost against a Madrid side that came into the match after two terrible performances.

After they got themselves level through teenager Fati who, still a week short of his 18th birthday, was a real threat throughout, they could have taken the lead.

In the first half Messi swerved past Ramos only to see his shot saved by Courtois at his near post.

And after the break Fati missed one chance with Messi better placed to receive a pass. Philippe Coutinho also headed a Fati cross into the side netting.

Madrid made them pay for the misses with the ever-reliable Ramos decisive once more.

Australian Associated Press