All eyes were on the Bernabeu as Real Madrid and Barcelona met again in club football's biggest game: El Clasico.
Naturally, with a global audience of hundreds of millions, there was plenty of reaction to the action...
Pregame, all the talk was of how Barcelona would use Luis Suarez, who was available after completing his ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini. The answer came about an hour before kickoff: Suarez was IN the Barca XI.
Line-up confirmed! RT to support Barça at the Bernabéu #classicFCB #VineFCB #fcblive https://t.co/Bbci4omm71
- FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 25, 2014
Xavi was also named as a starter for the visitors -- a move that raised more than a few eyebrows.
Xavi over Rakitic is a huge call by Luis Enrique... A romantic one, too...
- Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) October 25, 2014
Hoping Xavi vs. RM isn't anything like Xavi vs. Netherlands.
- James Tyler (@JamesTylerESPN) October 25, 2014
Meanwhile, as expected, the hosts began with Isco in place of the injured Gareth Bale.
¡La alineación del Clásico ante el Barcelona, en exclusiva en Twitter! #RealMadridvsFCB #RMLive pic.twitter.com/fB0SrhIZBQ
- Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) October 25, 2014
While everyone discussed Barcelona's high-profile debutant, Cristiano Ronaldo was looking, shall we say, focused.
Mira fijamente a cámara, asiente con la cabeza y aprieta los dientes. Cristiano Ronaldo, motivado. #ElClásicoEnElPlus pic.twitter.com/asbz49ZuEV
- La casa del fútbol (@casadelfutbol) October 25, 2014
It's fair to say that home fans were rather excited for the game...
Real Madrid arrive for El Clasico. pic.twitter.com/RAg9TN3prU
- ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 25, 2014
One interested viewer was Mexico coach Miguel Herrera, who hoped that Javier Hernandez, named as a substitute for Madrid, would get a chance to impress.
Ojalá que a @CH14_ le den minutos. Estoy seguro que puede ser una pieza fundamental en el juego.
- Miguel Herrera (@MiguelHerreraDT) October 25, 2014
Finally, after all the buildup, the game kicked off and, within four minutes, the deadlock was broken.
Neymar, 1-0 ... from Suarez pass. Really nicely taken.
- Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) October 25, 2014
Neymar has scored Barcelona's fastest goal at the Bernabeu since Amarilla in minute 2 in May 1986 #fcblive [via mrchip]
- barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 25, 2014
It was a lively start all around, and referee Jesus Gil Manzano soon had two very famous names to write in his notebook.
Messi & Neymar both booked in the opening 15 minutes. You know this is going to be good. #Clasico
- David Wall (@1DavidWall) October 25, 2014
In fact, following his goal, the Brazilian was not endearing himself to his manager.
Neymar fails with trick. Luis Enrique shaking head in total disbelief. That'll be brought up at half time.
- Graham Hunter (@BumperGraham) October 25, 2014
Nonetheless, Barca held off Madrid's pressure and, halfway through the second half, had a chance to double their lead...
22' INCREDIBLE SAVE FROM CASILLAS TO DENY MESSI!!!! #RealMadridvsFCB #RMLive
- Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) October 25, 2014
Ooooh my. Messi really should have put that away... you wouldn't have bet on anything else from a cross like that.
- AS English (@English_AS) October 25, 2014
Messi didn't miss that. He was just trying to prove he's also human
- Colin Udoh (@ColinUdoh) October 25, 2014
Meanwhile, back on "Suarez watch," the Uruguayan was quickly settling in to life with the Blaugrana. Not that that stopped some questionable puns!
El Clasico, El Gnashico, call it what you want....Luis Suarez looks effortlessly at home in football's top club game.
- Henry Winter (@henrywinter) October 25, 2014
All in all, it was a classic (okay, pun intended) start to, well, you know...
#ElClasico living up to it's pre-game billing. Must watch game for any football fan #barcavsrealmadrid
- Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) October 25, 2014
Ten minutes before half-time, the hosts drew level after they were awarded a penalty. One of their injured stars would soon be celebrating as one record was set and another was broken.
Great pen @Cristiano! Come on!!!!!! #halamadrid
- Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) October 25, 2014
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in 11 consecutive matches for the FIRST TIME since arriving at Real Madrid.
- MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) October 25, 2014
Bravo concedes his first goal this Liga after 776 minutes #fcblive 4th best Liga streak in history (all teams) [via mrchip]
- barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 25, 2014
And so, after a nonstop opening 45 minutes, the whistle was blown. As the players retreated to the dressing rooms, those watching went for a lie-down!
I didn't know I could hold my breath for 45 minutes. What a half of football. #ElClasico
- Austin Lindberg (@LindbergESPN) October 25, 2014
There was no half-time show as such at the Bernabeu, though Graham Hunter did notice one quirk.
#Clásico Funny. Number of guys working on keeping pitch flat and no rogue bounces at Iker's end this 2nd half pic.twitter.com/wQMcyEvuBj
- Graham Hunter (@BumperGraham) October 25, 2014
#clásico Funny. Number of guys working at Barça end and penalty box to avoid any rogue bounces off turf 2nd half pic.twitter.com/u8KvfAjBx5
- Graham Hunter (@BumperGraham) October 25, 2014
A coincidence, surely. Anyway, the teams duly returned to the pitch.
Sit back, strap in, here's the second half.
- Shaka Hislop (@ShakaHislop) October 25, 2014
Neither side made a half-time substitution, which surprised many. Indeed, one prophecy was quick to come true.
No changes at half time for #Barça is like handing this to Madrid
- Graham Hunter (@BumperGraham) October 25, 2014
PEPEEEE!!!!
- Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) October 25, 2014
Kroos delivery excellent again for Pepe goal. German has five assists already in La Liga, four corner kicks [via @pedritonumeros ]
- Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) October 25, 2014
Eleven minutes later, Barcelona won a corner as they searched for an equaliser. It didn't quite work out for them, though...
Corner for the opposition always gives Madrid hope...
- AS English (@English_AS) October 25, 2014
What a counter
- James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) October 25, 2014
Great counter attack, what a finish from @Benzema
- Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) October 25, 2014
After the game started so badly, Madrid had transformed while Barca seemingly had no response.
Real Madrid have their dancing shoes on now. Un baile. #ElClasico
- Max Bretos (@mbretosESPN) October 25, 2014
I guess I gave Barca too much credit.All clean sheets not today RM are doing the job so far.
- Tommy Smyth (@TommySmythESPN) October 25, 2014
Meanwhile, though up 3-1 and having scored already, you-know-who still wanted more!
73' @Cristiano is incredible: 16 goals in eight league matches so far. #RealMadridvsFCB #RMLive pic.twitter.com/pR6eFNXF1a
- Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) October 25, 2014
I love that Ronaldo is so desperate to receive every ball, to score every goal, to never be satisfied. #ElClasico
- Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 25, 2014
As time started to run out, tributes to the home heroes began to be made.
Illarramendi on for Isco, who receives a standing ovation from the Bernabeu. Another fine performance from the Spain international
- AS English (@English_AS) October 25, 2014
Marvelous Modric, Man of the Match. #ElClasico
- Max Bretos (@mbretosESPN) October 25, 2014
The final whistle confirmed -- on this day at least -- los Blancos' superiority and also marked a couple of notable statistics.
FINAL: Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona (C.Ronaldo, 34'; Pepe, 50'; Benzema, 61' / Neymar, 3') #RealMadridvsFCB #RMLive pic.twitter.com/oSTj9N2Gb5
- Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) October 25, 2014
RMA 3-1 FCB (FT) - Real Madrid wins a La Liga Clasico, after trailing first, for the first time in 26 years (22.10.1988)
- MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) October 25, 2014
A former great who played for both teams left no uncertainty as to where his allegiances lie.
Great victory!! Hala madrid��
- Luís Figo (@LuisFigo) October 25, 2014
Figo's former Camp Nou teammate Luis Enrique reacted to suffering defeat in his former Clasico as Barca coach and also gave his verdict on Suarez's performance.
Luis Enrique: "Defeats are part of football and of the learning process. We'll see at the end of the season if we deserved something."
- barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 25, 2014
Luis Enrique: "I don't regret letting Suarez start. He's with the squad from the start, he did well, better than I expected." #fcblive
- barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 25, 2014
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to everyone involved in Madrid's win.
.@MrAncelotti: "The team worked very hard. I liked a lot of the things that we did. Everyone played well." #RealMadridvsFCB #RMLive
- Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) October 25, 2014
.@MrAncelotti: "I can't talk about just one player; Cristiano, James, Pepe, Benzema..etc everyone played well." #RealMadridvsFCB #RMLive
- Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) October 25, 2014
The next league Clasico is scheduled for the weekend of March 22, 2015. Bring. It. On!