Real Madrid beat Barcelona despite Cristiano Ronaldo's red card for diving

Real Madrid won the opening leg of the Spanish SuperCup 3-1 at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s second-half red card.

There were no news signings for either side, and Gerard Deulofeu occupied the berth previously occupied by Neymar before his move to Paris Saint-Germain.

In the second half, Pique's own goal put Real Madrid ahead, and Ronaldo was later introduced from the subs' bench to a barrage of boos. He later had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside.

With 10 minutes remaining, Ronaldo scored a superb second for Real, but was sent off minutes after - one yellow for taking his top off in celebration, and then another for diving in the box. A shove on the referee following his red could lead to an extended spell on the sidelines.

That was not enough for a remarkable game, though, as Marco Asensio's brilliant effort gave Real a two-goal lead ahead of the second leg.

Was it a second yellow for Ronaldo? Samuel Umtiti was certainly leaning into Ronaldo as the two players ran into the box, but Ronaldo plainly let his legs give up under him to some extent. Whether it was simulation or not is hard to say for sure, but it was clear that Ronaldo was no t- understandably - interested in staying upright longer than absolutely necessary.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid): On the pitch for about 20 minutes, but what a 20 minutes. His goal for Real Madrid showed just how important he remains to Real Madrid. A cool head, a lightning run and finish, all undermined by taking his top off in celebration and then risking a yellow with a possible dive. Still the best player on the pitch, though.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Sergio 6, Pique 5, Umtiti 6, Alba 5, Aleix Vidal 6, Iniesta 5, Rakitic 5, Deulofeu 5, Messi 6, Suarez 6. Subs: Denis 6, Alacer 6, Roberto 6.

Real Madrid: Navas 7, Carvajal 6, Ramos 6, Varane 6, Marcelo 7, Kovacic 6, Casemiro 6, Kroos 6, Isco 7, Benzema 7, Bale 6. Subs: Ronaldo 8, Lucas 6, Asensio 8.

50' - GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid. Pique scores an own goal - Marcelo is released down the left to the touchline by Isco. He fires in a cross, Pique sticks out a leg to try to cut it out, but instead it flies into an unguarded net.

75' - PENALTY! Navas trips Suarez in the box. Suarez chases a ball to the touchline, dinks the ball over Navas and falls to the floor.

77' - GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid. Messi scores - He sends the goalkeeper the wrong way, Navas diving to his left as Messi fizzes in a low shot.

80' - GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid. Ronaldo scores - Oh my days. Isco finds Ronaldo in the left. He sprints away from Pique, towards the box. From just inside, he cuts in and curls one into the top corner.

82' - RED CARD! Cristiano Ronaldo sprints into the box alongside with Umtiti. Umtiti leans into Ronaldo, who goes down easily, and the referee isn't standing for it. Out comes the second yellow, and he's off!

90+3' - GOAL! Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid. Asensio scores - He is released on the left, and as he gets to the edge of the box with Pique closing in, he launches a crisp strike into the top corner to seal the victory.

Ronaldo was on the pitch for 24 minutes.