Luis Suarez scored a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 5-1 in what could be Real manager Julen Lopetegui's first and last experience of El Clasico, with Antonio Conte now odds-on to replace him.
Lopetegui was already under pressure before Sunday's eagerly-anticipated clash at the Nou Camp and his players did him no favours as they stumbled to a third straight LaLiga defeat for the first time since May 2009.
It leaves Real ninth in the table and seven points behind pacesetters Barcelona, who were without talisman Lionel Messi after he suffered a broken arm in last week's victory over Sevilla.
La Liga table: Click here to see the standings, as Barca go seven clear of Real
Next permanent Real Madrid manager (via Sky Bet)
The home side took the lead in the 11th minute when Ivan Rakitic's superb ball over the top found Jordi Alba in space on the left. He pulled the ball back into an ideal position for Philippe Coutinho to side-foot home from 10 yards.
Barca fans did not have to wait long before their side made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, although it took the use of the VAR before referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez pointed to the spot after initially waving away claims that Luis Suarez had been brought down by Raphael Varane.
Suarez, who had nipped in front of Varane to collect Alba's pass before being pushed to the ground, took the penalty himself and found the bottom corner despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Real had been restricted to long-range shots in the opening period but were back in the contest after just five minutes of the second half as Isco's cross from the byline caused panic in the home defence and Marcelo controlled the ball on his chest before stabbing home.
The visitors were almost level five minutes later when Luka Modric's shot slammed into a post and ran across goal to safety, while at the other end Suarez also hit the frame of the goal with an acrobatic volley as the game began to live up to its billing.
Real missed an excellent chance to equalise after 67 minutes when Karim Benzema headed over from six yards following a pinpoint cross from half-time substitute Lucas Vazquez.
And they were made to pay seven minutes later when Suarez showed Benzema how it should be done, heading home from more than twice the distance after being picked out by Sergi Roberto.
Roberto was again provider with eight minutes left, dispossessing Ramos and releasing Suarez to clip the ball over Courtois and complete his hat-trick, while there was still time for a fifth goal as Ousmane Dembele provided the perfect cross for fellow substitute Arturo Vidal to head home.
Defeat for Real piles the pressure on their manager, with former Chelsea boss Conte now a strong favourite to replace him. For many it's a case of when, rather than if, Lopetegui is sent on his way. The final blow could well have come courtesy of his side's fiercest rivals.
⏱️ If only Real Madrid could turn back the clocks...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 28, 2018
🗓️ They lose 5-1 to Barcelona in #ElClasico
🇮🇹 24 hours earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Juventus, including this stunner 🚀
Seven goals and five assists in 12 apps for the Old Lady 👇 #CR7pic.twitter.com/LtnZkpfSdw
Coutinho (Barcelona) - 1-0
Great ball by Jordi Alba, Philippe Coutinho dispatches 👏
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 28, 2018
The former #LFC playmaker's record for Barca:
🏃♂️ Played: 35
⚽️ Goals: 15
🔁 Assists: 9
GOAL REPLAY 👇 #ElClasico #FCBRMApic.twitter.com/hrlnqiQqg7
Suarez (Barcelona) - 2-0
😎 Here is that composed #ElClasico penalty by Luis Suarez...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 28, 2018
Former #LFC players 2-0 Real Madrid 😂
👇 #FCBRMApic.twitter.com/kw7B3URyOa
Marcelo (Real Madrid) - 2-1
Game on in #ElClasico?
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 28, 2018
Marcelo pulls one back for Real Madrid. They may be out of form but the Brazilian has now scored in three successive appearances for Los Blancos...
GOAL REPLAY 👇 #FCBRMApic.twitter.com/ZsiU0eiadT
Suarez (Barcelona) - 3-1
GOAL REPLAY: Barca make it three in #ElClasico!
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 28, 2018
The hosts counter attack, it's three-on-three. It results in a superb header from Luis Suarez 👏
👇 #FCBRMApic.twitter.com/a9iu3sLp2b
Suarez (Barcelona) - 4-1
👏 Hat-trick for Luis Suarez in #ElClasico!
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 28, 2018
🤔 Writing on the wall for Lopetegui?
GOAL REPLAY 👇 #FCBRMA pic.twitter.com/03kCnCypM8
Vidal (Barcelona) - 5-1
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) October 28, 2018
🔴🔵 What a day for Barca!
⚽️ Arturo Vidal heads home a FIFTH!
⚪️ Antonio Conte now odds on to be Real's next manager
FINAL GOAL REPLAY 👇 #ElClasico #FCBRMApic.twitter.com/qc0YfuXbZ1
El Clasico Opta statistics
Odds correct as of 1730 GMT on 28/10/18