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Morientes and Figo give Real Madrid victory over Barcelona 

MADRID, Nov 4 (AFP) - Fernando Morientes and Luis Figo got the goals that gave Real Madrid a well-deserved 2-0 victory over bitter rivals Barcelona on Sunday in what is generally considered the world's top club fixture.

Morientes headed home his first goal this season after 23 minutes, connecting with a cross from the left wing by Steve McManaman, after the English midfielder picked up the ball from a move initiated by Zinedine Zidane.

Zidane was also instrumental in the second goal by Figo, three minutes into injury time.

The world's most expensive player played a neat one-two down the right side of the box with his French compatriot Claude Makelele, before Makelele passed square across the face of the penalty area to where the Portuguese international was waiting unmarked.

The match was a typical derby between the two sides, with both teams playing at an unrelenting pace straight from the kick off.

However, the crucial difference between the two sides was that Real Madrid's defence rose to the occasion and showed a resistance that has not always been evident in the Spanish furst division this season.

Zidane himself could have got on the scoresheet but missed an open goal just after the hour after dodging around the Barcelona defender Carles Puyol.

Barcelona's best opportunity fell midway through the second half to Gabri Garcia but Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas showed outstanding reflexes to save his header from point-blank range.