Lionel Messi scored his 500th Barcelona goal in second-half extra time as his side beat 10-man Real Madrid 3-2 in an incredible Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu, a success that puts them leading of LaLiga.
Substitute James Rodriguez had actually racked up a remarkable late equaliser that appeared like it would give Madrid a draw to put them on the brink of a first league crown given that 2012, only for Messi to raise his landmark with the last kick of the game.
Before those late objectives, an out of breath as well as debatable contest appeared like it would be settled by Ivan Rakitic’s exceptional strike, particularly when Sergio Ramos was dispatched for a lunge on Messi.
However James after that scored within 4 mins of coming off the bench to send the house fans wild, just for Messi to swipe the show with his second of the suit.
The competition was typically controversial, Cristiano Ronaldo having a strong very early penalty insurance claim denied, while Barca desired Casemiro’s opener chalked off as they claimed for offside versus Ramos in the build-up, a goal that was quickly cancelled out by Messi before half-time.
Barca then asked for Casemiro to be sent as he escaped two first-half fouls after being reserved, but it was Madrid’s look to be angry with the officials when Ramos was rejected.
The story was still to be informed, however, with James’ strike complied with by Messi’s amazing 92nd-minute champion to make sure Spain’s top-flight remains in for a thrilling verdict over the last weeks of the period.
Both sides are now level on factors with Barca ahead because of their neck and neck document, although Madrid still hold a critical video game in hand.
There was conflict inside 2 mins when Ronaldo latched on to Dani Carvajal’s lowering in package as well as went down under Samuel Umtiti’s obstacle, but referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez was unmoved.
Ronaldo then evaluated Marc-Andre ter stegen with two efforts, the 2nd – after he had actually reduced inside Gerard Pique – compeling the goalkeeper right into a wonderful one-handed save.
Karim Benzema, at the same time, produced a bad strike directly at Ter Stegen when provided with a suitable shooting chance.
Luis Suarez discharged vast with two efforts for Barca at the various other end, his 2nd chance set up by Paco Alcacer, that was starting in attack with Neymar out through suspension.
Messi was left bloodied after being caught by Marcelo’s arm and also had to use with cotton woollen in his mouth, before Gareth Bundle– a surprise starter that was forced off prior to half-time with just what seemed a reappearance of his calf injury– volleyed straight at Ter Stegen.
Madrid opened the scoring after 28 mins with a not likely resource. Marcelo’s cross discovered Ramos, who was not flagged for offside in a marginal call despite big Barca claims, and he hooked an initiative against the blog post, with Casemiro sliding in to end up the rebound left-footed.
But, against the run of play, Barca drew level within five mins when Messi collected Rakitic’s pass and slid past the challenges of Luka Modric as well as Carvajal before defeating Keylor Navas down low from 12 yards.
Modric had a fierce long-range drive stayed out by Ter Stegen as Madrid sought to respond, however the very first fifty percent finished degree after Barca objections for Casemiro to be provided a second yellow card for his 3rd foul of the suit were disregarded.
Madrid continued to control after the break, with Ter Stegen saving from Toni Kroos prior to he impressively managed to keep out a close-range Benzema header with his legs after great work from Marcelo down the left.
But Barca had a huge chance of their own, Alcacer thwarted by Navas after a bad surface, having been discovered with room in package by Rakitic.
And also as Luis Enrique’s side turned into the game, Navas came down dramatically to shut out Pique’s thumping header.
Ronaldo then threw away a marvelous chance to get Madrid back in front, firing over the bar with only Ter Stegen to defeat after Marco Asensio – Bale’s substitute – had settled to him in the location after a breakaway from the hosts.
A thrilling game proceeded at the other end as Andres Iniesta located Suarez at the far article and the striker fired a shot that Navas superbly shut out from close range.
As well as Barca relocated front with 17 mins continuing to be, Rakitic reducing inside Kroos and releasing an unstoppable left-footed strike from 20 yards into the much corner.
Madrid’s hopes of a return seemed over four mins later, Ramos furious to be shown a straight red card for jumping in two-footed on Messi as well as sarcastically praising the officials on his way off.
The outstanding Navas somehow denied Pique from 8 lawns after substitute Andre Gomes had located him wide open and afterwards also conserved Messi’s effective drive.
And those quits ended up being all the more vital as James got an equaliser with five minutes to play, converting Marcelo’s cross with a high surface past Ter Stegen as the house assistance emerged.
Yet Messi had latest thing, rounding off a slick relocation that had actually been started by Sergi Roberto, transforming Jordi Alba’s cutback with a trademark left-footed finish as well as celebrating by holding his t shirt as much as a shocked Bernabeu.
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