Full Highlights; Barcalona Defeats Real Mardrid to a Point of 4-0 at El clasico on Sunday March 2022

FC Barcelona, spear headed by Xavi, defeated Real Madrid 4-0 in the La Liga El Clasico on Sunday, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring twice at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabau.

In the second leg of their Round of 16 Champions League encounter against Paris Saint-Germain, Madrid, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, were without Karim Benzema, their top player and idol.

The match was considered as a litmus test for Xavi Hernandez's progress at Barca, and they passed with flying colors, humiliating their greatest rivals and indicating that they are ready to fight for La Liga next season.

While the outcome may have little influence on the title race this season, a defeat of this magnitude, especially at home and against Barcelona, will have major ramifications at Real Madrid.

Carlo Ancelotti's future will be called into question after Madrid was outplayed strategically and technically by Xavi's Barca, who were faster, slicker, and, perhaps most worryingly, might have easily won by more.

Madrid were without injured Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy, and there was room for complacency considering that they started nine points clear at the top of the table after Sevilla were held to a 0-0 draw by Real Sociedad.

But none of that excuses a devastating loss like this one, the only solace being that a resurgent Barcelona is still 12 points behind, albeit with a game in hand.

When Barcelona was knocked out of the Spanish Super Cup by Real Madrid in January, the Catalans were chastised for celebrating their tight setback.

"We're back Again", Gerard Pique posted.

After five straight defeats to Madrid, any victory was welcome, but a thrashing like this could be revolutionary, providing a massive boost to confidence, validation of Xavi's concept, and excitement for next season all in one fell swoop.

Pedri was clattered by Eder Militao in the first minute, but that was the closest Real Madrid got to him all night. Early on, Fede Valverde's attempt was deflected wide, but Barcelona settled in and by the 23rd minute, their fans in the top corner were applauding every ball.

Ferran Torres drew back for Aubameyang, but he scuffed straight at Thibaut Courtois, who then had to paw wide a curling effort from Ousmane Dembele.

Barca's dominance was developing and they struck in the 29th minute, when Dembele raced around the outside of Nacho Fernandez and crossed for Aubameyang to head in.

If Vinicius Junior had converted after being passed through, the result would have been different, but a heavy touch allowed Marc-Andre ter Stegen to save.

Instead, before halftime, Barcelona doubled their lead when Ronald Araujo headed home from a corner, and the misery began. Torres was clear seconds after the restart, and although shooting wide, he had another chance a minute later.

Both David Alaba and Militao attempted sliding challenges and failed, with Aubameyang delivering a wonderful flicked pass to Torres, who made no mistakes this time.

The Real Madrid supporters had booed at halftime, but now they were stunned, their team looking lost, flat, and defeated.

Worse was to come, as Pique’s ball over the top allowed Aubameyang to scoop in a brilliant finish for a fourth in the 51st minute. Madrid thought they were spared by the offside flag but VAR intervened and the goal stood. Barca celebrated, the substitutes joining in on the touchline.

Aubameyang, Torres and Dembele could all have furthered the embarrassment for Madrid, the latter poking wide after skipping in behind and holding off Militao.

Aubameyang, Torres, and Dembele all had chances to add to Madrid's humiliation, with Dembele prodding wide after skipping in behind and holding off Militao.

SOURCE_@PUNCHNEWPAPER.