FC Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez, botton center, celebrates his goal with teammates during the Spanish La Liga soccer match against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011.

FC Barcelona came back from conceding a goal after less than half a minute to take a famous victory 3-1 away to bitter rivals Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu stadium Saturday.

Barcelona will now fly to the World Club Championships knowing they have dealt their title rivals a huge blow to their morale in a game that an in form Madrid were favorites to win.

Those expecting an inform Madrid to open up a nine point gap over Barcelona would have been celebrating when Karim Benzema scored inside the first minute, but Alexis Sanchez, Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabrigas turned the game on its head.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho kept faith with the style of play that has served his side so well this season with Lassana Diarra partnering Xabi Alonso in central midfield and with Benzema leading the attack in preference to Gonzalo Higuain, while Fabio Coentrao started at right back.

Alexis Sanchez got the nod ahead of David Villa in a Barcelona side where Carles Puyol partnered Gerard Pique in central defense.

Madrid needed only 25 seconds to open the scoring as Benzema volleyed home from close range following Mesut Ozil's deflected shot from Victor Valdes' scuffed clearance.

The home side were working incredibly hard, but Leo Messi almost equalized after five minutes after a run only for Iker Casillas to tip his shot wide.

Pressing high up the field, Real Madrid looked hungry and Cristiano Ronaldo saw a shot parried before Iker Casillas had to punch over a Xavi Hernandez free kick after 24 minutes. Ronaldo wasted another chance a minute later, shooting wide with Angel di Maria was well placed.

Alexis Sanchez leveled the score slightly against the run of play on the half hour with a right foot shot from outside the Madrid area following another Messi run.