Real Madrid’s star striker Cristiano Ronaldo made up for his otherwise quiet night by scoring the winner to beat Barcelona 2-1 win at the CampNou in Barcelona on Saturday.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said his team would not allow Saturday's home defeat by bitter rivals Real Madrid to affect their confidence.
La Liga leaders Barca were the better side for most of the 'Clasico' but a late goal by Ronaldo helped third-placed Real close the gap on the Catalans to seven points with seven games to go.
Atletico Madrid are in second spot, six points off the pace.
Luis Enrique said his side struggled to cope with the shock of losing their lead so soon after Gerard Pique had put them in front in the 56th minute, Karim Benzema levelling for Real six minutes later.
Pique's towering header put the hosts in front on the night they honoured legendary former player and coach Johan Cruyff.
Yet, Benzema quickly levelled before Ronaldo fired home five minutes from time after Madrid captain Sergio Ramos had seen the 21st red card of his career.
"The equaliser caused us a lot of damage and unfortunately we lost our first game at home (since February 2015)," said Barca coach Enrique.
"You can't choose when you're going to lose. We have to recover, rest and remember that we are the league leaders and that the most consistent team win the title."
Enrique does not believe the defeat will damage Barca's title challenge or their bid to retain the Champions League and King's Cup.
"This game doesn't exist any more, there's no pain," he told a news conference at the Nou Camp.
"The team were really up for the game, so were the fans, and there's nothing else we can do but lift ourselves up. Defeats teach you things, they teach you that every trophy is difficult and the players know that."
Real coach Zinedine Zidane was cautious when asked if the win could spark a late title bid.
"We have to overtake Atletico first," he said.
"We have to think about our next game in the Champions League (quarter-final against VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday) and then think about getting three points in our next league game."
Zidane did not hide his joy at winning his first 'Clasico' as a coach.
"I'm very happy with everything about the game especially the result," said the former Real playmaker.
"We struggled at first but that's normal because it's a difficult ground to play at. I'm very proud of my players and how they played.
"Winning here is a huge prize for all our players because they put in an enormous performance," said the former France great. "It's not easy to win here, few teams win here."
Barca started by far the better and only an incredible miss by Luis Suarez let Madrid off the hook on 10 minutes.
Neymar unselfishly squared for his Uruguayan strike partner, but Suarez failed to make any connection from his low cross with the goal at his mercy.
The hosts were enraged midway through the half when Lionel Messi looked to have been brought down by Ramos right on the edge of the area, but referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez waved play on with Ramos already having been booked.
Madrid grew into the game as the first half progressed and finally threatened the Barca goal when Ronaldo's shot was beaten away by Claudio Bravo before Gareth Bale blazed a volley over from a narrow angle.
Barca started on the front foot again after the break and Navas made a brilliant save to prevent Messi's cheeky chipped effort floating in at the far post.
But that save only momentarily denied Barca as Pique rose highest to power home Rakitic's corner on 56 minutes.
The lead lasted just six minutes, though, as Benzema swivelled to blast home Toni Kroos's deflected cross into the bottom corner.
Bale had the chance to turn the game on its head, but his tame effort on his favoured left foot was easily held by Bravo as Madrid again threatened on the counter-attack.
The Welshman did have the ball in the net nine minutes from time, but was incredibly unfortunate to be penalised for a push on Jordi Alba as he headed in.
Ronaldo then fired against the bar and Bravo saved a one-on-one with Bale as Madrid's pace on the break began to tear a tired-looking Barca apart.
The visitors' hopes of a famous win looked to have gone when Ramos was finally given his marching orders for a second booking after chopping down Suarez seven minutes from time.
However, just two minutes later Ronaldo struck the winner as he controlled Bale's cross to the far post before slotting under Bravo.
