Real Madrid vs Barcelona live score tracker: Benzema and Valverde goals give Los Blancos two-goal lead

50' Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona

The hosts seem happy to let Barca have the ball in all the ineffective areas of the pitch. It's worked nicely in the opening few minutes of the second half as the visitors are being extremely wasteful in possession, giving Lunin the chance to waste a bit of time on a couple of occasions.

46' Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona

Benzema takes the kick-off and the second half is underway.

We're moments away from the start of the second half. Can Barcelona's get back into this one or will it be more of the same from Real Madrid? We'll soon find out.

There was a strong start for Real Madrid, a Barcelona resurgence and then a Valverde-inspired sucker punch in that first half. Take a look below for all the statistics from a great first half at the Bernabeu.

Shots: 4 - 8

Shots on target: 3 - 2

xG: 0.51 - 0.76

Possession: 38% - 62%

Passes: 165 - 291

Corners: 1 - 2

Fouls committed: 5 - 1

Yellow cards: 1 - 0 (Vinicius)

Here is how the 24-year-old doubled Real Madrid's lead. Valverde's now up to three career goals against Barcelona.

Fede Valverde with a beauty to double Madrid's lead! ????

Barcelona had conceded one goal in 8 LaLiga games heading into this one, and they've now conceded two in just 35 minutes of #ElClasico ???? pic.twitter.com/8EwiDefQcc

— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) October 16, 2022

HT Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona

That is exactly the opening 45 minutes that Ancelotti, his players and the supporters will have wanted. Benzema ended his mini goal drought to give them the lead before a peach from Valverde against the run of play doubled the advantage.

(Photo: Getty Images)

45' Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona

The visitors are pushing for a goal to get them back in the game, as they were prior to Valverde's goal. The fourth official indicates that there will be on minute of stoppage time.

42' Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona

That Valverde goal felt really harsh based on Barcelona's dominance over the preceding quarter of an hour. Although, it was a perfect example of where both teams currently find themselves defensively.

Real Madrid have been almost totally impenetrable at the back while their opponents look shaky. Had it not been for a poorly-timed header from Garcia that gave the ball to Vinicius, there wouldn't have even been a chance for the hosts.

37' Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona

Another fantastic finish from Valverde!

An error from Barcelona leaves Vinicius in a great position to attack, he's patient and waits for his team mates to join him in the final third.

Valverde is in five yards of space just outside the opposing penalty area and after being picked out and taking a touch, he fires a powerful low strike right into the bottom corner.

35' Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona

31' Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

Vinicius has cut a frustrated figure a couple of times already in the first half. He isn't awarded a foul after being rather unfairly barged off the ball and then, as Kroos commits a foul a few seconds later, he makes his feelings known to the referee.

Sanchez isn't having any of his protests and brandishes his yellow card for the first time this afternoon.

29' Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

In the last 10 minutes or so, Barcelona have been much improved and have been the better side. That Lewandowski chance was a culmination of their building pressure and it really should have brought an equaliser.

Even though his side are still a goal behind, the signs are very positive for Xavi and his coaching staff.

26' Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

How has he missed that?

Pedri glides through the Real Madrid midfield and picks out Raphinha in a yard of space. The Barcelona wideman puts a chance on a plate for Lewandowski who has an open goal at his mercy and somehow slides in and sends his effort over the crossbar.

He may have been offside but the linesman didn't flag. A huge let-off for the home side.

22' Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

The first quarter of this match has been the perfect execution of Ancelotti's game plan. Real Madrid have sat deep and defended when they have had to and looked to move the ball at real pace going forward.

Barcelona haven't really had a sniff of a goal while Los Blancos look a threat every time they attack.

19' Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

Here is the goal that broke the deadlock a few minutes ago.

17' Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

The relatively inexperienced away side are being blown away by the hosts and, if it continues, the game could be taken away from them in the next 10 or 15 minutes.

Valverde and Vinicius look really dangerous on both flanks with Balde and Roberto largely failing to keep them at bay.

13' Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

What a way to end a five-game goal drought! Kroos evades Busquets excellently and sets Vinicius away down the left wing.

The Brazilian should have done better but a heavy touch allowed Ter Stegen to thwart him. However, the rebound rolled into the path of Benzema and he fired into the back of the net through a sea of Barcelona defenders trying to keep out his left-footed effort.

12' Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

9' Real Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

What a start to the Clasico. Both teams are looking to fight fire with fire and soon after Raphinha's effort, Vinicius almost sees his deflected strike drop into the bottom corner.

Although, Roberto's important intervention helps the ball past Ter Stegen's far post and the Real Madrid corner comes to nothing.

6' Real Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

We've had the first shot of the game inside five minutes. Raphinha worked himself a bit of space 25 yards from goal and let fly but his effort was fairly easily held by Lunin.

It has been a frantic start from both sides and the battles in the wide areas already look like they're going to decide the game.