They may be down, but they are certainly not out. Real Madrid gets back into league play and make a statement to the rest of Europe.

That statement: They are for real and Barcelona is beatable.

That last part will be music to the ears of Madrid's other team, Ateltico Madrid as they prepare for a Champions LEague date with Barcelona on Tuesday at Camp Nou. Barcelona had carried a 39 match unbeaten streak into Saturday's Clasico, and had not lost to Madrid in league play since 2012. 

The final score line was 2-1 with Real winning behind goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. Gerard Pique headed in Barcelona's lone goal in the second half. However despite los blancos winning on a late goal from Ronaldo,they were destined to take home the three points from the start.

While it may be in correct to say Madrid dominated the match, they definitely were constantly threatening to score, with the feeling that their goals were coming sooner or later. They were consistently testing Barcelona's back line and goal keeper Claudio Bravo.

Benzema scored the equalizer for Madrid, making up for an excellent opportunity he botched earlier in the match. Zinedine Zidane took out the Frenchman late with Jese Rodriguez taking his place, giving Madrid a change of pace that helped Madrid create the late pressure that earned the game winner.

Madrid seemed to have it sewn up earlier, with Gareth Bale heading one home only minutes before Ronaldo's goal, although the referee called a foul negating the call. On the replay it seemed that maybe it was a poor call, though the was contact, just how much was incidental is to be argued. 

That may have been a fun narrative that would have cemented Bale as a true merengue, but it didn't happen that way of course. Instead it the hero turned out to be a somewhat unlikely player on the pitch. 

Now at first thought, one would think Cristiano Ronaldo is as fitting a hero as anyone. Although if you were watching the match Ronaldo was off all game. Slipping in open space, not being able to beat his man consistently. In the first half he just missed opening up the scoring off a free kick, sending it just over the bar. Again late he gave a scare to the Barcelona faithful, but he had to wait until the 85th minute to capture glory. He has had his struggles playing on the road this season, but he has always seemed to play up to the challenge when facing Barcelona in their home stadium. He now has 16 goals in El Clasico, moving him past club legend Raul.

Madrid's left back Marcelo was also vital to Madrid's victory, time and again getting the ball deep into Barcelona's half. He was the catalyst for much of the first half, setting up many chance that they just never converted.

Real Madrid still sit in third place in the Spanish league standings, with Atletico winning their match to remain in second. Although now they are seven points off the lead and head into their Champions League first leg on Wednesday with their confidence sky high.

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Photo: Flickr/Nazionale Calcio