Prior to kick-off, the two sides were separated by three points in the top two positions in the table, as Barcelona's brilliant young team had made an electric start to the season. The stakes were high, and many expected a tense, close game reminiscent of the peak of the El Clasico rivalry at the start of the 2010's. However, Real Madrid unraveled in the second half, conceding four goals in a half-hour period.
Fans made their displeasure known with whistles and boos, while some took the heckling too far, with Spanish police confirming that three arrests were made.