In what started with a classic Karim Benzema performance and ended with three points, Real Madrid moved clear atop the La Liga table with a 3–1 El Clásico win over Barcelona.
On Monday, Benzema is expected to be awarded the Ballon d’Or after a stunning year that saw him take home the Champions League title. If he wins, the French star will become only the second player (after Luka Modriu0107 in 2018) to break the deadlock that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have held on the award since 2008.
But on Sunday, Benzema only had rival Barcelona in his sights.