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Xtra Time Web Desk: First half strikes from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos helped Real Madrid cruise to a 2-1 win over arch rivals Barcelona in El Classico at the Alfredo Di Stefano on Saturday night. Oscar Mingueza scored for Barca. The win took the reigning La Liga champions on top of the points table. It was also the first loss for the Catalans after an unbeaten 19 match stretch.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Real with an audacious near-post flick in the 13th minute. Real Madrid extended the lead in the 28th minute with a deflected free-kick from Toni Kroos' beating Ter Stegen. Zinedine Zidane's side should have had more to show for their superiority on the counter, with Federico Valverde rattling the post.

Lionel Messi was denied by the post at the end of the first half as his Clasico goal drought extended to seven matches. Barca reduced the margin in the 60th minute when Oscar Mingueza converted Jordi Alba's cross after Antoine Griezmann's clever dummy.

Real Madrid are level on points with Atletico Madrid but replace them at the summit by virtue of their superior head-to-head record.