Barcelona completely controlled the first half and were ahead at the break thanks to Philippe Coutinho's strike and Luis Suarez's penalty.
Marcelo got the visitors back into it early in the second period, but Madrid then fell apart again as Suarez added two more to grab a hat trick and Arturo Vidal completed the 5-1 hammering with a late header. Los Blancos are now ninth in the La Liga table and seven points behind leaders Barca.
Positives
Not too many, but Madrid at least reacted at the break, showing pride and fight for a spell. The 3-5-2 shape in the second half looked for a while like a solution to their recent defensive horror shows, although nobody was thinking anything positive by full-time.
Negatives
The first-half performance was just awful, with the team lacking shape, energy and ideas. After a decent 20 minutes after half-time they were again completely shapeless by the end.
Manager rating out of 10
4 -- Julen Lopetegui's starting XI was ruthlessly exposed by Barca in the first half, although his switch to 3-5-2 at the break immediately paid off with a goal. Madrid's problems are not all his fault, but he must take responsibility for a really poor showing all round, and surely his short reign as Blancos coach is now over.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Thibaut Courtois, 6 -- Not at fault for any of the goals, almost got his hand to Luis Suarez's penalty for 2-0, and made a decent stop late on to stop Barca from reaching six.
DF Nacho Fernandez, 5 -- Horribly exposed on the right of the defence against Jordi Alba's pace for Barca's opening goal, was marginally more comfortable as one of a back three in the second half.
DF Raphael Varane, 3 -- The 2018 World Cup winner's calamity club season continued with a clumsy penalty concession for Barca's second goal. Could well have been hauled off even without the adductor muscle problem which led to his half-time replacement by Lucas Vazquez.
DF Sergio Ramos, 4 -- Lacked composure along with the rest of his teammates in the first 45 minutes, and was at least partly at fault for each of the three late goals conceded.
DF Marcelo, 5 -- Scored his third goal in three games soon after being switched to wing-back at the break, then limped off with a suspected hamstring injury picked up trying a dramatic back-heel pass.
MF Casemiro, 4 -- Chasing shadows in the first half as Barca dominated and was not at all comfortable at centre-back after the tactical change.
MF Toni Kroos, 4 --One of Madrid's many playmakers who were unable to influence things in the first half, with even his usually accurate passing looking off.
MF Luka Modric, 3 -- Completely overshadowed by his fellow Croatian Ivan Rakitic when Barca were so on top, and missed a golden chance for 2-2 when pinging a free shot off the post from 18 yards.
MF Isco, 5 -- Back between his centre-backs early on trying to get Madrid playing, and among those who inspired the mini-comeback early in the second half before fading right out of it again.
FW Gareth Bale, 4 -- Looked the most annoyed at how things were going as Madrid fell Behind and was booked for one late challenge working back. Never really threatened to get on the scoresheet and could not complain about being withdrawn with 15 minutes left.
FW Karim Benzema, 6 -- Madrid's most likely forward to score throughout -- volleyed one half-chance too high with the game scoreless, and sent a back post
Substitutes
DF Lucas Vazquez, 7 -- Lucas' introduction at wing-back helped swing the game back in Madrid's direction for a spell -- one cross led to the first goal, and another almost brought an equaliser for Benzema.
FW Marco Asensio, N/R -- Replaced Bale with a quarter hour left and ended up at left wing-back chasing forlornly back trying to stop the goals from flying in.
FW Mariano, N/R -- Last throw of the dice late on, barely touched the ball.