Barcelona, without captain Lionel Messi, tore apart a hapless Real Madrid side, thrashing them 5-1 at Camp Nou, courtesy of a brilliant Luis Suarez hat-trick.
Philippe Coutinho gave Ernesto Valverde’s side the early lead in the first El Clasico of the season, opening the scoring just eleven minutes into the game. Luis Suarez then made it 2-0 for the home team from the penalty spot at the half-hour mark.
Real Madrid threatened a comeback after the break, with Marcelo pulling one back for the Merengues five minutes into the second period. But, Suarez restored Barcelona’s two-goal cushion in the 75th minute, before going on to complete his hat-trick eight minutes later. Substitute Arturo Vidal then added the fifth for the Blaugrana to rub more salt in the wounds of their arch-rivals.
Barcelona regained top spot on the La Liga table following the hammering, while Real slipped down to the ninth. The Catalans handed out an absolute humiliation to their bitter rivals, with Suarez at the forefront of the scintillating display. And the fans hailed the Uruguayan striker, who has had to cop some criticism this term due to his inconsistent form.
https://twitter.com/Ebo_AA/status/1056591531786809344
https://twitter.com/BarcaTimesTap/status/1056598525650251778
Tuesday: Luis Suarez’s third child is born 👶
Sunday: Luis Suarez scores Hattrick in #ElClasico ⚽🗣️ Suárez: "Leo, you take rest this Clásico I will destroy Madrid" pic.twitter.com/C5wKv2N2pu
— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) October 28, 2018
The first Barça player not named Lionel Messi to score a hat trick in 24 years.
Luis Alberto Suarez Díaz.
Remember the name. pic.twitter.com/ssAyitCwNN— Juan (@socraticjuan) October 28, 2018
Suárez almost scored one of the GOAT Clásico goals, what the hell was that?!?!?!
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) October 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/mr10_gamerhd/status/1056600915698991104
Suarez the cannibal has bitten Lil Madrid thrice as Barecelona Messid them up in #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/7nynPu6mn4
— #diaryofnasawali (@nvsvwvli) October 28, 2018
Prime Suarez is probably the best in history
— Hammad (@RakimDaGOAT) October 28, 2018
I'm really happy for Suarez i feel like he's finally back
He has been going through a rough patch this season and he also wanted to score for his new baby— Manel🌷 (@Miina2896) October 28, 2018
On the other hand, after another dismal defeat, Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui may well be counting his days. Los Blancos have been poor this season and the manner of the loss on Sunday, against their arch-rivals no less, could very well be the final straw for the former Spain boss. And many Real fans seem to echo the same opinion post the thrashing.
Florentino meeting with Lopetegui post match pic.twitter.com/NO0mM3xFfA
— Baha (@Baha) October 28, 2018
Lopetegui showing optimism in the presser 😂😂
My man you’ll be gone by Monday morning— Mo (@fcb_addict) October 28, 2018
By by lopetegui 👋🏻👋🏻
— Théo (@TheoBerthier) October 28, 2018
Jose Mourinho: The Special One
Zinedine Zidane: The Tactical One
Julen Lopetegui: The 5 – 1 😂😂😂#ElClasico pic.twitter.com/Pebe2DeXWp
— Battousai 🥷 (@the_olusegun) October 28, 2018
When Lopetegui goes to his office after the match!#ElClasico pic.twitter.com/tuY4PCB4sR
— Dr. Chinonso Egemba (@aproko_doctor) October 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/someachair/status/1056603076440801281
this form is unacceptable. Lopetegui out @realmadrid !!! https://t.co/W3aShYmb8m
— ®︎ (@rolandotsew) October 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/IsMeWatros/status/1056603882523185152
Lopetegui: "There's a long way left in the season. I remain in charge of this team and I'd like to see the situation in April."
Florentino Perez: pic.twitter.com/Z2G3kA7Iwi
— Aira Jiso (@AiraJiso) October 28, 2018