Real Madrid ends Barcelona's 39-match unbeaten run with El Clasico upset

Barcelona's unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday courtesy of hated rival Real Madrid, which produced a stunning second-half comeback to win El Clasico 2-1.

The buzz wasn't the same ahead of this edition. Barcelona and Madrid entered the contest with a 10-point difference, removing the tension of a possible title run-in.

And the ensuing 90 minutes were far from the standard of football expected from the biggest domestic match of the European season. The fouls were common, the cards came out, and the quality was subpar.

It was the first time since 2009 that El Clasico reached halftime without any goals scored.

The second half took a more dramatic turn, with goals from Gerard Pique and Karim Benzema spicing up the usually heated affair. A Gareth Bale header was then disallowed, inciting a feeling of injustice among Madrid supporters, but Cristiano Ronaldo righted any wrongs when he struck in the 85th minute to halt Barca's streak at 39 matches.

Here are three takeaways from the Camp Nou:

Ronaldo proves big-game credentials

The biggest criticism when it comes to Ronaldo is that he can't influence the biggest of occasions, that he inflates his scoring record with goals against inferior opposition.

He once again put that nonsense to rest with the winning tally in the most hostile environment.

Related - VIDEO: Ronaldo gives Real Madrid victory in El Clasico with smashing goal

He wasn't the most active player on the pitch, registering just 32 touches on the ball. But he was effective when he had to be. Ronaldo took down and controlled a long cross from Bale with remarkable ease and lashed a shot between the legs of Claudio Bravo to send Barcelona fans home unhappy.

His effort may not make a difference in the title race - Los Blancos are still a hefty seven points behind the Blaugrana with as many games remaining - but it put him closer to Lionel Messi in all-time El Clasico scoring. Ronaldo now has 16 goals in 25 editions, while Messi boasts 21 in 32. Their scoring rate, however, is virtually the same, with Ronaldo at 64 percent and Messi at 65.

Messi, Suarez, Neymar surprisingly quiet

Barcelona's vaunted trio failed to inspire the club to otherworldly heights. The usual link-up play wasn't there, and chances went begging.

Luis Suarez let a golden opportunity pass him by in the opening minutes of the first half, a tempting ball from Neymar bouncing out of his grasp.

Related - VIDEO: Suarez fails to break Clasico deadlock by somehow missing open net

As a combined unit, they simply couldn't get the ball on the net. They only had one shot on target between them, with Barcelona's only other coming from Pique, who scored the home side's lone goal.

It's not a warning sign of anything - Messi, Suarez, and Neymar have already netted 107 times this season - but it is a testament to Madrid that it was able to shut down the world's best attack. Manager Zinedine Zidane set up his team in a more defensive mold, and leaned on cynical tactics at times, with his players intent on interrupting the flow of the game. Sergio Ramos ended up with a red card, but the approach paid off.

El Clasico poorly positioned after international break

Thirty players left Barcelona and Madrid to join their international setup for the past two weeks, leaving little time to prepare for and focus on El Clasico. Full training only resumed earlier this week, after the Tuesday friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, and the performance certainly suffered for it.

The football was also far from the usual fare on display between these two sides, even on a night of tribute to the late Johan Cruyff, whose brand of Total Football changed the club. Both Barca and Madrid were reckless in their approach, throwing elbows and committing petty fouls.

In the end, there were enough storylines to satiate spectators alike. The disallowed goal, red card, and dramatic winner were all late arrivals to a match that slowly grew in stature and emotion.