Real Madrid vs. Barcelona score: Vinicius Junior, Mariano decide El Clasico as Real goes atop of La Liga table

Two unexpected heroes help Real Madrid regain sole possession of first place in La Liga standings

Real Madrid snapped a seven-game El Clasico drought in a major way with a monumental performance at home against Barcelona on Sunday, securing a 2-0 win with second half goals from 19-year-old Vinicius Junior and 26-year-old Mariano. Zinedine Zidane's entered Sunday in second place and two points behind Barcelona in the standings. With the win, they leaped past their bitter rivals to 56 points and a slim, one-point advantage. 

It was a frustrating night for Barca as Lionel Messi missed a golden opportunity, as did Antoine Griezmann. Barca finished with four shots on goal. On the other side, Real Madrid looked like the sharper team throughout the night. Los Blancos had 13 shots in the match and five on frame, while also taking eight corners. Real was able to quickly break the back line of a struggling Barca defense but had to wait till the 71st minute for the winner.

With the game deadlocked at 0-0, it was Vinicius Junior that scored the decisive goal just moments after Martin Braithwaite missed a golden chance for Barca. The talented Brazilian youngster had a ball beautifully played into the box by Toni Kroos, and his shot at the near post was deflected in by a sliding Gerard Pique. Here's the goal:

Barca looked to fight back but Real's defense was up to the task. Marcelo made a fantastic stop on Lionel Messi who was through on goal, and then Mariano came on for Karim Benzema and scored in added time to make it 2-0. The Spanish striker faked Samuel Umtiti with a move when trying to receive a throw-in down the line, went in on goal and put it past Ter Stegen to lock up three important points.

The win means Real is now a point clear with 12 games to go this season, while it snaps Barca's four-match winning streak in La Liga.

Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 0 (FT)

⚽ Real Madrid - Vinicius Junior (71')
⚽ Real Madrid - Mariano (90+2')

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:53 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Full time!

It's over! Mariano wraps it up for Real! A 2-0 victory for Los Blancos that takes them back to the summit of the league!

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:51 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

92' Mariano calls game. 2-0!

Real Madrid has gone up 2-0, and this one is over! Mariano comes on for Benzema and scores seconds later! He beats Umtiti with a great move and beats Ter Stegen from a narrow angle! This win will end a seven match winless streak against their rival!

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:49 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

89' No good from Ramos

His shot hits the wall as Ramos holds his hands over his mouth in disbelief. Just hit it too low.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:47 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

88' Dangerous free kick for Real

Busquets take down Lucas at the top of the box, and boy is this a great chance to put this game away for Real. Sergio Ramos and Toni Kroos want to take it.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:38 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

The opening goal

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:30 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

71' GOAL REAL MADRID!

It's Vinicius! It's 1-0 to Real Madrid! Kroos breaks the back line to play Vinicius through, and his shot is deflected off Pique and in! 

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:29 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

70' Great save from Courtois!

Now it's Barca's chance as Braithwaite does very well down the right to fight off Marcelo, but Courtois saves it!

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:22 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

63' Benzema over the bar!

Another golden chances for the hosts. Dani Carvajal cuts at the top of the box and feeds Benzema into the box with a lofted shot, but the Frechman fires it over the goal. He made good contact but just got too under it. 

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:20 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

61' Pique on the line!

Isco almost scored with a header this time that beat Ter Stegen, but Pique is at the right place at right time to stop the ball and clear it!

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:15 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

56' An amazing save by Ter Stegen!

Goodness me! Ter Stegen pushes a shot from Isco wide of the post. It looked headed upper 90 from the top of the box, but his curling effort it saved. The placement was near perfect, but the German goalkeeper wasn't having it. 

[Mar 1, 2020 at 4:05 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Underway!

The second half has begun! No changes for either side at the break. 

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:48 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Halftime

At the break, things are as they started. 0-0 with both teams having quality chances, but the accuracy is off.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:47 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Club rivals, international teammates

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:45 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

40' Five minutes to go

Not long left in the opening half. Both teams with a good chance as things get physical. Messi was free on goal but forced to shoot from the top of the box with pressure coming, but his effort goes right at Courtois.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:36 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Barca's best chance so far

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:36 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

33' The best chance!

Barcelona with a fantastic chance as Griezmann plays Arthur through on goal, but Courtois denies him with an absolutely perfect save to his right. That was IT!

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:32 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

28' Open game 

Lots of back and forth here with both teams getting the ball into space, but boy are the defenses stepping up at the last second to negate chances. This comes after an exchange between Jordi Alba and Dani Carvajal as they both get yellows as things get chippy. No love lost with the Spain national team teammates.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:18 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

14' Great chance for Real!

Some fine ball movement from the hosts sees Toni Kroos with a one-touch shot at the top of the box, but he sends it well over the goal. Wasteful.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:12 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

No chances in opening 10 minutes

10' Both teams are getting deep into the attack halves, but the defenders are playing well, cutting off crosses and not letting either attack cause too much trouble.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:07 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

This one hasn't settled down

5' A frantic opening five minutes. Real wins a couple corner kicks and Los Blancos are pressing high. The rain is still falling at a good pace.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:02 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Underway!

With Cristiano Ronaldo in attendance, we are underway!

[Mar 1, 2020 at 3:01 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Real fans are ready

The teams are walking onto the field now with the Real Madrid fans holding a sign that says "Lucharemos Juntos" which translates to "We will fight together."

[Mar 1, 2020 at 2:53 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

10 minutes till kickoff

Just 10 minutes to go now until the ball starts rolling at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

[Mar 1, 2020 at 2:46 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Odds

Real Madrid +120; Draw +260; Barca +220 (via William Hill Sportsbook) 

[Mar 1, 2020 at 2:40 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Viewing information

Here's what TV channel is game is on and how to stream along with other details:

Date: Sunday, March 1 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Santiago Bernabeu - Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports | Live stream: fuboTV (Try for free)

[Mar 1, 2020 at 2:32 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

30 minutes to go...

We are just 30 minutes away from kickoff. The weather may lighten up for now, the rain continues.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 2:24 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

It could be a wet one

It's currently raining at the Santiago Bernabeu which could certainly impact this match. Here's a look at the rain falling when Setien went to check out the pitch. The key would be keeping the ball on the ground if the pitch is really wet.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 2:22 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Setien's presser

Here are highlights from Quique Setien's pre-match press conference from Saturday.

[Mar 1, 2020 at 2:17 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Zidane's presser

Here's a replay of Zinedine Zidane's press conference from Saturday, just a day before the game. 

[Mar 1, 2020 at 2:07 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Barcelona's starting lineup

Here's how Quique Setien's team will start with a heavy midfield and two attackers: