Points shared in pulsating Clasico

Whilst much of the talk before the game was about the guard of honour, attentions soon turned to on-field matters as the two served up a festival of football at Camp Nou.

In a ding-dong affair, it was the hosts who struck first, with Luis Suarez setting Sergi Roberto away down the right, before timing his run to perfection to meet his cross from the right with a cushioned volley into the far corner to open the scoring.

However, in what was an open game throughout, Madrid weren't behind for long. Just four minutes after Suarez's strike, the visitors restored parity following a wonderful team move. 

Cristiano Ronaldo fed Toni Kroos on the left and he crossed to Karim Benzema at the far post, with the Frenchman intelligent enough to nod the ball down for Ronaldo, who had continued his run, to stab home from close range.

The goal was significant in many ways, with Ronaldo equalling the Real Madrid club record for Clasico goals as well as netting Real Madrid's 400th Clasico goal.

 

May 6, 2018

It wasn't all good news, though, with the Portuguese suffering a twisted ankle as Gerard Pique attempted to prevent him from levelling, whilst he gamely played on at first, he was later withdrawn at half-time, leaving 'Los Blancos' with a major concern with the Champions League final just 20 days away.

Despite the knock, Ronaldo went close several times before the break, seeing a glorious chance well saved by Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the home goal after he had been slipped in one-on-one by Luka Modric.

More than a hint of techiness sneaked into the game before the break, causing a flurry of petty fouls and yellow cards, culminating with Sergi Roberto being given his marching orders on the stroke of half-time after he clashed with villain of the piece Marcelo.

- Battling Barca - 

Down to 10, the hosts must have breathed a sigh of relief when Ronaldo did not return for the second period and they stunned their rivals just seven minutes after the restart as Lionel Messi fired them ahead.

Despite Suarez appearing to foul Raphael Varane down the left, the referee waved play on and he drove forward and found Messi, who cut onto his left foot and curled past Keylor Navas at the near post to send the watching faithful into raptures.

The Catalans had the ball in the net again just three minutes later as Suarez tucked home after Navas parried Ivan Rakitic's low cross, only for their celebrations to be cut short as the offside flag went up against the Croat.

Following an impressive spell, Messi had the chance to make the points safe with 70 minuts on the clock after he was sent racing clear by Suarez, but Navas did brilliantly to save his drilled effort low to his left.

Barcelona were made to regret that miss just two minutes later as Gareth Bale, largely anonymous until that point barring a horror challenge on Samuel Umtiti, swept home wonderfully from the edge of the box after being found by Marco Asensio.

As time ticked on Barca arguably looked the most likely to find a winner as they threatened on the counter but both sides were made to do with a point as Barca clung on to their unbeaten record in La Liga.

 

May 6, 2018