Madrid, Spain –  Barcelona felt right at home at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

Alexis Sanchez, Xavi and Cesc Fabregas scored as Barcelona overcame a mistake in the opening minute that led to a goal for Real Madrid for a 3-1 win in the 'Clasico.'

Barca, which has won the last three La Liga titles, reclaimed its usual perch atop the standings, albeit with a game in hand on Real.

Real Madrid had won its last 15 straight in all competitions, including 10 in a row in La Liga.

Once again, Barcelona proved to be its nemesis.

Gifted the lead after just 22 seconds when Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes made a huge mistake on a clearance, and Karim Benzema gave Real the lead well before the fans had settled into their seats.

Real manager Jose Mourinho witnessed a dream start, but the rest of the match played much more like a nightmare.

Barcelona extended its undefeated streak to seven straight against Real in La Liga, and manager Pep Guardiola won for the eighth time against three ties and a single loss - in the Copa del Rey final - against Madrid.

Although Lionel Messi was unable to add to his impressive haul of 13 goals in his first 15 matches against Real, the Argentine magician was only denied from the equalizer by a great save from Iker Casillas after 5 minutes.

Real wasted a few chances inside the half-hour, as Benzema had a header saved at the left post by Valdes, and Cristiano Ronaldo missed badly from 18 yards to waste an open look.

Barcelona was level after 30 minutes, as Messi drew a trio of defenders before slipping a pass to Sanchez, who did well to settle and fired to the lower left from 18 yards for his fifth goal of the season.

The remainder of the first half was void of great chances, but Barca added its second just 8 minutes after halftime.

Xavi notched the second goal as he struck a volley from just outside the area that took a wicked deflection off Real defender Marcelo and sailed just inside Casillas' left post.

Ronaldo had a shot to redeem his first-half miss and tie the game in the 65th, but he wasted Xabi Alonso's pin-point cross to the right post when he headed a few yards wide of the left post with the goal at his mercy.

With just three goals in 10 matches against Barca, the former world player of the year continued to disappear on the big stage.

And another one of Barcelona's new additions, Fabregas, showed he is ready for the big stage. Like Sanchez, who joined this offseason, Fabregas was on target in his first La Liga 'Clasico.'

Messi again played a part, as he drove and dropped a pass off to the right for Dani Alves, who swung a pass to the far post for Fabregas to nod home from the edge of the 6-yard box for his eighth goal of the season.

Real Madrid never truly threatened to dent the two-goal deficit, as Barcelona moved atop the standings ahead of its trip to the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan - where it will look to defend another title.

Barcelona had just two wins in its first six road matches this season.

Madrid fell one game short of setting a club record for consecutive victories, as it lost at home for the first time in seven matches this season.

Real Betis 2, Valencia 1

Seville, Spain - Ruben Castro scored twice in stoppage time as Real Betis beat third-place Valencia, 2-1, on Saturday at the Benito Villamarin to snap a 10- match La Liga winless streak.

Betis opened the season with four straight wins, but lost nine of its next 10. An own goal handed Valencia the lead after 66 minutes, but Castro netted both goals in stoppage time, scoring in the 91st and 94th minutes.

Castrol pulled Betis level with a header from close range, then turned a pass from Juanma to the top-left corner from the right side of the area even later in stoppage time.

Valencia had won five of six and had just one loss in its last nine - against Real Madrid - but sits seven points off Barcelona and Real, who are both level on 37 points atop the standings.

Betis moved four points above the relegation zone.

Levante 1, Sevilla 0

Valencia, Spain - Victoriano Nano scored before the hour mark as Levante edged Sevilla, 1-0, on Saturday at the Ciutat de Valencia for its second win in its last six La Liga matches.

Levante opened the season on fire, but lost four of five from late October to early December, before a 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon last week and this week's win over Sevilla put the club back on track for a solid season.

Levante is fourth in the standings, now just one point behind Valencia for the third spot. Sevilla is fifth after its second loss in its last four, and fell five points behind Levante for fourth.