Real Madrid vs Barcelona LIVE: Barca hit crossbar in LAST SECOND in El Clasico thriller – latest reaction and updates

THE END OF EL CLASICO

A brilliant week for Real Madrid ends with a victory in the Clasico that takes them to the top of La Liga for the first time this year, and completes a league double over their rivals for the first time since 2007-08.

They were made to work hard for it, but followed up their scintillating counter-attacking in the first half – in which Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos scored – with a solid defensive rearguard after the break.

Barcelona pulled one back through Oscar Mingueza, but as the heavens opened above the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, even God himself – Lionel Messi as he’s known around here – was unable to find a leveller.

A late red card for Casemiro added to the drama, and in the final seconds, Ilaix Moriba was denied a sensational equaliser by the crossbar, but it was not to be for Barca.

And so it’s advantage Madrid in the table with Real and Aletico leading the way, but after tonight it’s definitely a three-way race for glory.

This match was exciting, startling and controversial, and we’re in store for much more of the same between now and the season’s end..

That’s the end of the football for today, but we’ll be back tomorrow with action from the Premier League. Thanks for reading, and goodnight.

THREE IN A ROW FOR ZIZOU

Zinedine Zidane is used to making history with three successes. The Real Madrid manager famously won three Champions Leagues in a row during his first tenure, and now he’s become the first Real coach in more than 40 years to win three consecutive Clasicos.

KOEMAN FUMING

Ronald Koeman was no stranger to controversial incidents during his playing career, and now he has been angered by decisions that went against his team this evening. The Barcelona boss felt his side should have had a spotkick when Ferland Mendy pulled back Martin Braithwaite, and was then left confused by only four minutes of additional time when the referee spent so long having his microphone and headset fixed in the second half.

It was a penalty, it was really clear. But we have to accept it and shut our mouths. It was really clear. I don’t know why it wasn’t reviewed by VAR. And only four minutes of stoppage time in a game like this?

Ronald KoemanLaLigaTV

FULL TIME STATS

A brilliant game of football that Barcelona will struggle to believe they’ve lost. The Catalans clocked up 707 passes, 18 attempts at goal, and 69% of possession but could not find an equaliser in the second half.

MESSI THWARTED

Lionel Messi was Barcelona’s main man, but failed to find the back of the net once again in El Clasico despite his best efforts.

The captain hit the post from a corner, had a shot blocked by Courtois and passed up two free-kicks in promising positions.

151 DAYS

Real Madrid are back at the top of La Liga for the first time in 151 days after victory in El Clasico.

Atletico play at Betis tomorrow, and then are eight games left until the end of the season.

It’s all to play for.

PIQUE PROTESTS

Despite not playing any part this evening, Barcelona’s Gerard Pique was furious at the final whistle with Jesus Gil Manzano, confronting the match official on the pitch.

FT: REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

Madrid claim victory in a superb Clasico. Los Blancos did the damage in the first half with goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos, but Barca fought back after the break. Oscar Mingueza pulled one back, but Ronald Koeman’s men couldn’t find an equaliser despite heavy pressure in even heavier rain. Casemiro saw red towards the end, but Real held on to complete a Clasico double.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
EL CLASICO COMES TO AN END!

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

90+4. CROSSBAR!

Barcelona go so close to equalising with the last action of the night.

Ter Stegen went up for a late Messi’s free-kick that Lenglet headed down for Morib, who controlled on his chest before smashing a volley against the goalframe.

The Barcelona goalkeeper followed up for a shot of his own, but drove it straight into Trincao before Alba scooped over.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

90+2. Marcelo goes through on goal with the chance to wrap things up, only for Mingueza to get back at the last second to poke back to Ter Stegen.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

90+1. The free-kick from Messi is curled into the hands of Courtois.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

90. Another foul by Casemiro, just as cynical and obvious, earns the midfielder his second yellow card in as many minutes, and Real Madrid will have to play out the four minutes of stoppage time a man short.

CASEMIRO PICKS UP A SECOND BOOKING!
REAL MADRID ARE DOWN TO TEN MEN!

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

88. Casemiro is booked for a heavy challenge on Messi in the middle of the park.

It’s perhaps the most clearcut caution of the season.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

86. The Barcelona complaints and subsequent frustrations seem to have taken time and tempo out of the game just as the visitors were building up a real head of steam.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

84. Controversy!

Odriozola is short with a backpass intended for Courtois, and that allows Alba to steal in and poke a shot past the Madrid goalkeeper.

It’s off target, but Braithwaite catches out Mendy in his last ditch attempt to keep the ball in play, and goes down in close proximity to the defender.

The Barca players are convinced it should be a spot-kick, but the referee doesn’t budge. The complaints lead to a yellow card for Alba.

The VAR officials take a look but are not convinced that there is enough contact to overturn the referee’s decision. There was slight contact and a little tug, but was it enough?

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

82. Asensio pulls a cross back for Isco to meet first time, but it’s blasted into the streets outside the stadium.

Barca have made another two substitutions with Trincao and Braithwaite on for Dembele and Pedri.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

80. Now Messi comes across to the touchline for a change of shirt. He also helps himself to a fresh vest and captain’s armband.

If that was any other player I’d be ready to mock, but it’s Messi so I’ll allow it.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

79. The referee comes across to the touchline due to an issue with his headset that enables him to communicate with both his linesmen and the VAR officials. It’s hardly surprising given the amount of rain this evening.

Stick it in a bowl of rice, mate.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

76. Odriozola nearly catches out Ter Stegen with a looping cross. The Barcelona goalkeeper has to show acrobatic reactions in order to tip the ball behind.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

75. Formations and tactics have gone out of the window.

As crosses, shots and challenges rain in from all over the pitch, the next goal – and there will surely be a next goal – could be crucial. Not just to the outcome here, but the destination of the La Liga title.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

72. Changes galore.

Barca go for broke by bringing on Ilaix Moriba for Ronald Araujo.

Meanwhile, Madrid make a triple substitution. On come Isco, Marcelo and Mariano, off go Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Toni Kroos. Zinedine Zidane may well have one eye on that second leg with Liverpool on Wednesday.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

70. Messi curls the set-piece straight into Kroos in the Madrid wall.

Unlike the German’s free-kick earlier, his intervention doesn’t help the ball to goal but rather does the intended job of clearing the danger.

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA

69. This is end-to-end stuff now, and a fourth goal is surely imminent.

On the break, Messi is off target with a curler, but he’s caught late by Nacho and play is pulled back for a free-kick.

A yellow card is shown to the Real Madrid defender.