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BARCELONA, Spain – Even though it was an explosion, there was a moment in Barcelona's 5-1 win over Real Madrid on Sunday, when the result seemed to be in balance.
Madrid had just scored a goal after defeating Barcelona's control to take a 2-0 lead at half-time, and the hosts did not have Lionel Messi to the rescue.
It was at this point that Luis Suarez added two goals to his penalty in the first half, completing the hat trick that puts the job of Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui in jeopardy.
"Almost every season, I score against Madrid," said Suarez. "They came out of the recovery for the match. They put a lot of pressure on us and were lucky enough to be equalized. We scored the third goal and took advantage of our speed and clear space to conclude. "
His second goal was a superb header, while he was driving a soft lob from former goalkeeper Thibi Courtois, Sergi Roberto.
That goal came when his teammates were under pressure after Marcelo scored and Luka Modric hit the post.
Suarez also showed the quality of the marksmanship on his penalty, placing it just inside the pole and Courtois in dive, as well as a nice finish to score his third goal.
"He has scored three goals today, but Luis' job is still there," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde.
As you work, Suarez multitask.
The Uruguayan faces opposing defenders, frees his teammates, offers an outlet to the front and helps to be part of the attack pbading complex Barcelona.
Suarez dedicated his first goal to his family by raising his shirt to reveal a t-shirt with a picture of these three kids on it.
"This week, my third child was born and his brothers and sisters wanted to accompany me today, as Mom and Lauti are watching us from their homes," Suarez said.
Suarez, 31, has scored nine times in 11 games against Madrid since entering the Spanish Cup after leaving Liverpool after biting an Italian defender in the 2014 World Cup. Since then, Suarez has showed his best behavior and became one of the club's veteran leaders.
Suarez scored the winner in a 2-1 win over Madrid, which allowed Barcelona to win the league title at the end of the 2014-15 season. The following season, he scored twice in a 4-0 win at Santiago Bernabeu, also missing at Messi. He scored in a 1-1 draw against Madrid in 2016-17, as well as during a 3-0 win in Madrid and a 2-2 draw at home season last.
But the Uruguayan striker was particularly important recently with Messi on the sideline.
Since Messi broke his arm in the first half against Sevilla on 20 October, Barcelona beat his opponent 9-3, including four goals from Suarez.
Messi fell while Barcelona led Sevilla 2-0. Suarez immediately increased by scoring a third goal in a possible 4-2 win.
He set the tone at Inter Milan in the Champions League last week by badisting Rafinha for the first goal of the 2-0 win.
But Suarez had done his best for Sunday night, having won an unbalanced victory that Barcelona fans will enjoy.
The right moves
The attempt to return from Madrid was triggered by Lopetegui's return to Lucas Vazquez early in the second half.
Until then lethargic, Madrid was breaking in waves and Vazquez was helping to launch the movement that led to Marcelo.
Valverde then made three moves that all contributed directly to the goals by catching Madrid in imbalance in defense.
Valverde traded Rafinha against Nelson Semedo, which allowed him to attack Roberto. The versatile Roberto has created three scoring chances for Suarez.
Valverde also sent striker Ousmane Dembele and midfielder Arturo Vidal. Dembele crisscrossed the area and went to Vidal to score the fifth goal, thus ending the humiliation of Madrid.
"I thought we needed players who could use their speed because we no longer had the control we had in the first period," Valverde said. "The back and forth was risky. Sergi helped us attack.
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