BARCELONA are now TWELVE points clear of second place Real Madrid after securing a huge comeback win in the El Clasico.
Los Blancos took the lead following Vinicus Jr’s heavily deflected cross off Ronald Araujo.
However, Xavi’s side hit back just before the break courtesy of a poachers effort from Sergi Roberto.
And Franck Kessie’s brilliant team goal completed the comeback sending the Camp Nou into meltdown.
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- Barca XI: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Christensen, Kounde, Balde; De Jong, Busquets, Roberto; Gavi, Raphinha, Lewandowski
- Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Modric, Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Vinicus Jr, Benzema
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That’s all from Barcelona
Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 at El Clasico with a dramatic comeback at the Nou Camp.
Real opened the scoring against the run of play after just nine minutes when Vinicius Junior’s cross from the left caught a deflection off of Ronald Araujo who netted an own-goal.
But Barca equalised at the death of first half when Raphinha’s effort was blocked by Antonio Rudiger and Sergi Roberto picked up the rebound to score on 45 minutes.
Los Blancos thought they regained the lead again against the run of play in the 81st minute with Marco Asensio but VAR deemed the scorer was just inches offside before Dani Ceballos’ assist.
The Blaugrana got their winner in the second minute of stoppage time when a clever back-heel by Robert Lewandowski found Alejandro Balde down the left and his low cross set Franck Kessie up at the far post from where he finished.
Credit: EPA Xavi speaks up
Barcelona manager Xavi insists his team was superior to Real Madrid during El Clasico.
The Spanish tactician told Movistar Plus: “Real Madrid posed problems for us later on with the changes and looked dangerous when [Marco] Asensio and Rodrygo were on the ball.
“I genuinely believe that we were superior to Real Madrid throughout the game.”
Credit: Getty Carlo Ancelotti reacts
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti insists the league is not yet lost despite 12 points separating them from in-form Barcelona after their El Clasico loss.
Ancelotti said: “We played well and also deserved to win. We lost a little balance after the disallowed goal but games can be decided by small details.
“We have to accept the disallowed goal but have every right to have our doubts over it.
“We took risks at the end as we had to. We don’t feel that the league is lost but we are still involved in three competitions.”
Credit: Getty
Just inches offside
Real Madrid ace Marco Asensio thought he had scored his team’s winner at El Clasico on 81 minutes.
That would have been an important win for Real as they would have been only six points behind the top.
However, VAR deemed Asensio was just inches offside – actually, it was the edge of his elbow that was over the line. A decision that may have decided the title…
Los Blancos then suffered a last-gasp defeat that now sees them a whopping 12 points away from Barcelona and first place.
Credit: AFP Credit: Getty Updated LaLiga table
Barcelona are so close to their first LaLiga title since 2019 they can taste it!
Barca are now a whopping 12 points clear at the top of the table after their win at El Clasico.
Real Madrid needed that victory as they were already nine points away from first place.
Real are now far closer to third place with Atletico Madrid five points behind them.
More below:
Barcelona vs Real Madrid stats
Barcelona dominated 54 per cent of possession against Real Madrid at El Clasico.
Barca registered a total of 17 shots, but only seven of them were on target.
Real, on the other hand, produced 11 shots, but only three of them were on target.
More below:
FT: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Barcelona beat Real Madrid at El Clasico with a dramatic comeback at the Nou Camp.
Real opened the scoring against the run of play after just nine minutes when Vinicius Junior’s cross from the left caught a deflection off of Ronald Araujo who scored an own-goal.
But Barca equalised at the death of first half when Raphinha’s shot was blocked by Antonio Rudiger and Sergi Roberto picked up the rebound to score on 45 minutes.
Los Blancos thought they regained the lead again against the run of play in the 81st minute with Marco Asensio but VAR deemed the goalscorer was inches offside before Dani Ceballos’ assist.
The Blaugrana got what they were looking for in the second minute of stoppage time when a clever back-heel by Robert Lewandowski found Alejandro Balde down the left and his low cross set Franck Kessie up the far post from where he finished.
Credit: EPA FT: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Peep!
That’s full-time in Barcelona!!!
90+7 Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Yellow card
Referee whips out a double booking for Ceballos and Fati.
The Real ace reacted after a late tackle from the Barcelona starlet and we get some nasty scenes with all the players getting involved in the fracas.
90+2 Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Barcelona have done it!
Lewandowski finds Balde to his left with a stunning back-heel and the full-back delivers a cross that finds Kessie at the far post from where he scores with a decisive finish!
90+2 Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
Goal!
Barcelona turn it around with Kessie!!!
90 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Substitution
Barcelona boss Xavi brings on Fati, who replaces Gavi.
Five more minutes of stoppage time to go!
90 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Yellow card
Barcelona ace Balde gets booked for bringing Asensio down.
88 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
With all the VAR drama I missed Torres’ introduction as he replaced Raphinha.
Barcelona are now defending the draw that would still maintain them in command for the title.
Real are pushing really hard as they really need the win with nine points away from the top.
85 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Chance!
Real ace Asensio tries to get even with a beautiful long-range shot that just misses Ter Stegen’s crossbar!
83 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
No goal!
Actually, they haven’t done it again as VAR deems Asensio was just offside in the build-up.
In fact, it was his ELBOW that was offside!
81 Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
They’ve done it again!
Real break into a dangerous attack with Rodrygo opting not to pass to Vinisius down his left.
Instead he passes to Ceballos on his right and he delivers a cross to the middle from where Asensio taps it in to Ter Stegen’s bottom right corner!
81 Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Goal!
Real regain the lead with Asensio!!!
80 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Chance!
Kounde gives the ball away at the back and Benzema tries a shot from the edge of the box but Ter Stegen saves with a lunge to his left!
78 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Chance
Real star Vinicius tries another shot from the left but it lacks power and Ter Stegen picks it up with ease.
77 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Substitution
A triple change by Real boss Ancelotti as Tchouameni, Asensio and Ceballos replace Camavinga, Valverde and Modric.
77 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Substitution
Barcelona boss Xavi makes his first change with Kessie replacing Roberto – left it quite late.
76 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Chance!
Barcelona play the ball nicely and De Jong scouts Lewandowski’s movement inside the area but the Poland international’s shot just misses Courtois’ bottom right corner.
73 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Ter Stegen and Courtois are constantly on guard but it’s been a while since they have received any danger.
Quite a stalemate going on at the Nou Camp.
70 Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
Chance
Real star Vinicius breaks down the left and tries a shot that completely misses the crossbar.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
