Barca suffer first defeat of La Liga season to Real in El Clasico

Barcelona's winning streak ended on their visit to the Bernabeu as they lost to their archrivals Real Madrid in their La Liga El Clasico on Saturday.

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez started for Barca after a four-month ban for biting and his impact was immediate as he set up Neymar to arrow in the opener just four minutes into the game.

However, Barca's star forward Lionel Messi spurned a glorious chance before Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo equalised with a penalty in the 35th minute, The BBC reported.

Pepe's powerful header put Real ahead before they added to their lead when Karim Benzema finished a brilliant counter-attack with an angled shot in the 61st minute.

The Real fans roared their approval at the end as the home side came out on top in a match-up between two of the world's most star-studded line-ups. Real's celebrations following the 229th meeting between the two were also heightened with the victory helping them close the gap to one point on La Liga leaders Barca.

Real's star-studded squad had Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Benzema up front, while Barca had Messi, Neymar and Suarez.

Suarez starting added to the spectacle as he played for the first time since his ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup came to an end. The former Liverpool striker made an immediate impact when his cross-field pass found Neymar, and the Brazilian cut in from the left and curled in a low shot for the opener.

The goal only served to spark Real into action during a fast and furious opening. Barca keeper Claudio Bravo had not conceded a goal in his side's eight league games prior to the match and had to be at his best to keep his run going.

Barca should have added to their lead when Suarez sent in a low cross for Messi only for the Argentine to uncharacteristically side foot wide from close range.

However, Real got level when Gerard Pique handled a low Marcelo cross and Ronaldo dispatched the penalty to score his 16th league goal of the campaign.

The home side started the second half brightly and their pressure eventually broke a vulnerable Barca defence when Pepe powered in a header from a corner, which was later followed by Benzema's angled goal, the report added.