Real Madrid sink Barcelona in heated 'El Clasico'

La Liga Santander - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - October 24, 2020 Barcelona's Sergino Dest in action with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos [REUTERS/Albert Gea]

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos once again proved to be the man for the big occasion as he converted a fiercely debated penalty to help his side to a 3-1 win over rivals Barcelona at an empty Camp Nou in La Liga on Saturday.

Ramos, making a record 45th appearance in the ‘Clasico’ fixture, was awarded the spot-kick following a VAR review, after falling in the area when his shirt was tugged by Barca’s Clement Lenglet as the pair contested a corner.

The defender showed his customary calm to score from the spot in the 63rd minute and restore the champions’ lead, after Federico Valverde had opened the scoring in the fifth minute only for Barca’s 17-year-old forward Ansu Fati to equalise less than three minutes later.

Barca ran out of steam in the second half and Madrid missed two big chances to seal the points after Ramos’ penalty before substitute Luka Modric finally clinched it with a goal in added time.

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos is fouled in the penalty by Barcelona's Clement Lenglet and a penalty is awarded [REUTERS/Albert Gea]