Sergi Roberto was sent off, but Barcelona held on to maintain their unbeaten status in LaLiga by earning a point in a 2-2 with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.
The midfielder was dismissed at the end of the first half following an off-the-ball altercation with Marcelo when the scores were 1-1.
Barcelona led twice through Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi only for Real, who have one eye on the Champions League final against Liverpool on 26 May, to level through Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
However, Real boss Zinedine Zidane will be deeply concerned about Ronaldo, whom he withdrew at the interval where it appeared the top scoring Portuguese ace had sustained a knock.
With Barca’s title already assured and Real’s minds elsewhere, there was a strangely muted atmosphere for a game only really notable for it being the final ‘Classico’ for Barcelona great Andres Iniesta.
Suarez saw an early effort blocked in the box, but the Uruguayan struck in the 10th minute when he met a Sergi Roberto cross with a volley at the far post to put his side in front.
Five minutes later Real were level, Karim Benzema heading a Toni Kroos cross down for Ronaldo to sweep home the equaliser from close range.
Both sides had their chances to go in front with Jordi Alba and Ronaldo both heading over the bar, then Luka Modric threaded a brilliant through ball to Ronaldo who was only denied by a superb save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Real keeper Keylor Navas saved superbly from Messi before Barca’s hopes were hit in first-half injury time when Sergi Roberto and Marcelo appeared to clash off the ball, and the home player was issued a straight red card.
Barca made light of their one-man disadvantage as they restored their lead in the 54th minute, Messi finishing off a swift counter-attack with a curling shot past Navas.
Sergi Roberto was sent off, but Barcelona held on to maintain their unbeaten status in LaLiga by earning a point in a 2-2 with Real Madrid at the Camp Nou.
The midfielder was dismissed at the end of the first half following an off-the-ball altercation with Marcelo when the scores were 1-1.
Barcelona led twice through Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi only for Real, who have one eye on the Champions League final against Liverpool on 26 May, to level through Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) sits on the field after resulting injured dbeside Spanish referee Hernandez Hernandez (C) and Barcelona’s Spanish defender Gerard Pique uring the Spanish league football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on May 6, 2018. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
However, Real boss Zinedine Zidane will be deeply concerned about Ronaldo, whom he withdrew at the interval where it appeared the top scoring Portuguese ace had sustained a knock.
With Barca’s title already assured and Real’s minds elsewhere, there was a strangely muted atmosphere for a game only really notable for it being the final ‘Classico’ for Barcelona great Andres Iniesta.
Suarez saw an early effort blocked in the box, but the Uruguayan struck in the 10th minute when he met a Sergi Roberto cross with a volley at the far post to put his side in front.
Five minutes later Real were level, Karim Benzema heading a Toni Kroos cross down for Ronaldo to sweep home the equaliser from close range.
Both sides had their chances to go in front with Jordi Alba and Ronaldo both heading over the bar, then Luka Modric threaded a brilliant through ball to Ronaldo who was only denied by a superb save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Real keeper Keylor Navas saved superbly from Messi before Barca’s hopes were hit in first-half injury time when Sergi Roberto and Marcelo appeared to clash off the ball, and the home player was issued a straight red card.
Barca made light of their one-man disadvantage as they restored their lead in the 54th minute, Messi finishing off a swift counter-attack with a curling shot past Navas.
But Real hit back in style with Bale, who had been a virtual passenger up to that point, eased into a scoring position by a Marco Asensio through-ball, and capitalising by striking a superb effort beyond the reach of Ter Stegen.
Real dominated the later stages of the game as they sought to end their opponents’ proud record this season, but the hosts held firm.
Source: Talk Sports
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
