Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Benzema and Valverde give Los Blancos the lead at the Bernabeu

REAL GET THE OPENER!

Vinicius is through and his close-range effort is saved by Ter Stegen, but the German can only parry into the path of Benzema who lashes home into an empty net from just inside the box.

The side to score first in the last 12 Clasicos at the Bernabeu has gone on to win the game.

Lewandowski plays a neat one-two with Dembele before firing a shot at the legs of Alaba but the flag was up anyway for an offside on Dembele.

Close!

The Bernabeu crowd are so, so loud.

Another El Clasico debutant with Raphinha starting for Barcelona.

Raphinha, who scored against Barcelona in the summer in a US friendly, cuts inside a rifles an effort that's well collected by Lunin.

Early doors and Garcia has pinging balls over the top for Lewandowski but this particular pass is intercepted.

Early signs...get it to the big man!

GET READY!

Here's some numbers for you.

This is the 250TH competitive El Clasico!

Barcelona are targeting two successive La Liga wins against Los Blancos for the first time since 2019. They won at the Bernabeu 4-0 last season.

And as for La Liga encounters, Real Madrid have 76 wins to Barcelona's 73, with 35 draws.

Incredibly, they've each scored 295 La Liga goals against each other. Can someone take the lead today?

It's true that Barcelona have hardly played La Liga's best yet this season but it's still impressive to concede just once in eight games.

Real Madrid will have to at least double Barcelona's goals conceded tally for a win today.

Rudiger will have to wait to experience his first Clasico as he finds himself on the bench today.

The German had 20 stitches during Real Madrid's midweek match in the Champions League and will wear a facemask today if he features.

"Rudiger is a warrior," said Real manager Carlo Ancelotti.

"If you look at him, he is so excited and looking forward to Sunday's game."

Karim Benzema may very well be lifting his first Balon d'Or title tomorrow.

The Frenchman is red hot favourite to lift the gong after a brilliant year in which he dragged Real Madrid at times to La Liga and Champions League titles.

The biggest match in European club football, El Clasico here.

The first of the season and the stage is set. First and second in La Liga and an identical record so far. Real Madrid, however, are the defending champions and favourites today.

But it's Los Blancos' first time up against a Barcelona with Lewandowski leading the line.

Should either grab all three points, it'll be the first real statement this season in the race for the La Liga title.

It's here. The big one.