FC Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez (R) celebrates his goal with David Villa during the Spanish La Liga soccer match against Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona Monday. (AP) BARCELONA, Spain: Real Madrid awoke Tuesday to the realization that despite coach Jose Mourinho's arrival, ending its trophy drought will not be easy after Barcelona's 5-0 demolition the previous night. Lionel Messi orchestrated the masterful performance by two-time defending champion Barcelona, which moved past its rival to take a two-point lead atop the Spanish standings. But while Messi dazzled, Cristiano Ronaldo fizzled in what El Periodico newspaper labeled: “A Cold Dose of Reality” for the Spanish capital club, which has watched its Catalan rival amass eight major trophies over the last two seasons. Real Madrid has won none in the same span. Even Madrid-leaning sports daily Marca was forced to tip its hat to Barcelona, calling the loss “A Slap to the Face” after Madrid endured its first defeat since April – when it also lost to Barcelona – and Mourinho's most lopsided loss. Catalan paper La Vanguardia was succinct: “Barca humiliates Real Madrid.” Madrid hired Mourinho to turn around the world's most expensive squad. He led Inter Milan to the Champions League title in May, eliminating Barcelona along the way. But the masterful tactician could only look on stone-faced at the Camp Nou as Messi led the rout, the Argentina forward's vision in attack playing a part in many of the goals, including assists on both of David Villa's scores. “Who is more complete than Messi?” Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said of the FIFA World Player of the Year. “Messi is the best, in all aspects. He doesn't just score – he dominates every category. “Simply put, he's the best.” Ronaldo, meanwhile, failed to score for the first time in six games against Barcelona. The Portugal forward's most memorable moment came during a 31st-minute melee that started when he shoved Guardiola after the coach didn't return the ball for a throw-in. “We played against a great Real Madrid with spectacular numbers, but we should evaluate the way Barcelona played,” captain Carles Puyol said. “Madrid didn't play horribly, Barcelona played very well.” Madrid's frustration boiled over in the 90th minute when Sergio Ramos was red carded for a tackle from behind on Messi. With 12 of Spain's World Cup winners on the field, the idea that country always comes before club wasn't apparent as Ramos shoved Spain teammates Carles Puyol and Xavi Hernandez as he left the field. “It's a game that will help us understand top-flight football and continue maturing,” director general Jorge Valdano said. “Madrid is a team for men and situations like this are a test of your manhood. We all know how to get past this situation.” Barcelona also handed Mourinho his first loss since taking over as Madrid coach. The defeat also ended Madrid's seven-game winning streak. Barcelona has now won seven straight and outscored opponents 28
