Luis Suarez's Barcelona debut ended in defeat as Real Madrid cut the gap on the La Liga leaders to just a point as they came from behind to win El Clasico 3-1 on Saturday.

Playing for the first time in a competitive game since being handed a fourth month ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup, Suarez's Barca career had got off to a flying start as he set up Neymar to slide home the opening goal after just three minutes.

Real Madrid's players thank the crowd after winning the Spanish league "Clasico" football match vs FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. Photo: AFP

However, Real responded like European champions as Cristiano Ronaldo levelled from the penalty spot before second-half goals from Pepe and Karim Benzema handed them a deserved ninth consecutive victory in all competitions.

Barca boss Luis Enrique had sprung a few surprises with his starting line-up as not only did Suarez start, but Xavi and Jeremy Mathieu were also preferred to Ivan Rakitic and Jordi Alba.

However, the Uruguayan proved his worth within three minutes as his cross-field pass was taken down by Neymar who skipped inside Dani Carvajal and Pepe before sliding the ball into the far corner for his 11th goal in as many games this season.

The goal sparked Madrid into life as Benzema failed to find the target from a narrow angle as he was pressured by Claudio Bravo before the Frenchman crashed a header off the bar from Ronaldo's cross. Both Messi and Neymar were booked for late challenges on Toni Kroos and Carvajal as the hosts upped the pressure in search of an equaliser.