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| Barcelona v Real Madrid: El Clásico – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 9.53pm GMT21:53 | |
| And at the end of all that, Barcelona are four points above Real Madrid. It wasn’t easy. Real played very well for 50 minutes or so, but they had no answer after Luis Suarez made it 2-1. We’ll leave the final word to Admir Pajic. “It seems that Luis Suarez managed to decide two big derbies today with his departure from Liverpool to Barcelona,” he says. And on that note, good night. | |
| 9.51pm GMT21:51 | |
| FULL-TIME: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid | |
| It’s over! | |
| 9.51pm GMT21:51 | |
| 90 min+3: Real have a throw on the left. Oh for a Rory Delap. They can’t do anything with it and Barcelona win the ball back. That should be that. Real look a tired and beaten team. And... | |
| 9.50pm GMT21:50 | |
| 90 min+1: Suarez should release Alba. He can’t. Real attack. Benzema looks for Bale, but Alba is there. | |
| 9.49pm GMT21:49 | |
| 90 min: There will be three minutes of stoppage time. | |
| 9.47pm GMT21:47 | |
| 89 min: A couple of corners for Real, but Barcelona stand firm. They’ve defended well in the second half. | |
| 9.46pm GMT21:46 | |
| 87 min: The roles are reversed between Messi and Alba this time, but again Casillas stands firm! Alba cut the ball back to Messi, whose firm low drive was pushed away by Casillas! Real break up the other end and Pique concedes a corner. Before it’s taken, Lucas Silva replaces Luka Modric. | |
| 9.44pm GMT21:44 | 9.44pm GMT21:44 |
| 86 min: Iker Casillas keeps Real in the match. Messi prises Real open with a pass through to Alba, but Casillas turns his poked effort wide! That could be a huge save. Moments later, Suarez volleys well over from the left of the area. | 86 min: Iker Casillas keeps Real in the match. Messi prises Real open with a pass through to Alba, but Casillas turns his poked effort wide! That could be a huge save. Moments later, Suarez volleys well over from the left of the area. |
| 9.43pm GMT21:43 | 9.43pm GMT21:43 |
| 85 min: Rafinha comes on for Neymar, who’s had a frustrating evening in front of goal. | 85 min: Rafinha comes on for Neymar, who’s had a frustrating evening in front of goal. |
| 9.42pm GMT21:42 | 9.42pm GMT21:42 |
| 84 min: Suarez twists and turns and fires a low effort across goal from the left. Wide. | 84 min: Suarez twists and turns and fires a low effort across goal from the left. Wide. |
| 9.41pm GMT21:41 | 9.41pm GMT21:41 |
| 82 min: ”Where, oh where has Bale gone in the 2nd?” says Doug. “Drifted completely out of the game it seems.” | 82 min: ”Where, oh where has Bale gone in the 2nd?” says Doug. “Drifted completely out of the game it seems.” |
| That reminds me. Bale is playing. | That reminds me. Bale is playing. |
| 9.38pm GMT21:38 | 9.38pm GMT21:38 |
| 80 min: The Real corner comes to nothing and Barcelona are able to bring on Xavi for Andres Iniesta. Jese is also on for Real Madrid, Isco the man whose evening is over. “Can Xavi beat 36 seconds for a red card?” says Matt Dony. | 80 min: The Real corner comes to nothing and Barcelona are able to bring on Xavi for Andres Iniesta. Jese is also on for Real Madrid, Isco the man whose evening is over. “Can Xavi beat 36 seconds for a red card?” says Matt Dony. |
| Updated at 9.38pm GMT | Updated at 9.38pm GMT |
| 9.37pm GMT21:37 | 9.37pm GMT21:37 |
| 78 min: Real finally threaten an equaliser! Benzema shoots from 20 yards and two deflections, one off Mascherano and one off Pique, give Bravo a major headache. But the Barcelona goalkeeper shows superb reflexes to tip the ball wide. It looked destined for the bottom corner. | 78 min: Real finally threaten an equaliser! Benzema shoots from 20 yards and two deflections, one off Mascherano and one off Pique, give Bravo a major headache. But the Barcelona goalkeeper shows superb reflexes to tip the ball wide. It looked destined for the bottom corner. |
| 9.36pm GMT21:36 | 9.36pm GMT21:36 |
| 77 min: There has been a strange lack of conviction about Real since Suarez’s goal. They haven’t gone close to equalising or really mustered much pressure. Instead it’s Barcelona who continue to press for a killer third. Neymar’s backheel sets up Messi on the left. He tricks his way inside but his low shot is deflected and Casillas gathers the ball. | 77 min: There has been a strange lack of conviction about Real since Suarez’s goal. They haven’t gone close to equalising or really mustered much pressure. Instead it’s Barcelona who continue to press for a killer third. Neymar’s backheel sets up Messi on the left. He tricks his way inside but his low shot is deflected and Casillas gathers the ball. |
| 9.34pm GMT21:34 | 9.34pm GMT21:34 |
| 76 min: Barcelona make a defensive change. Sergio Busquets is on for Ivan Rakitic. | 76 min: Barcelona make a defensive change. Sergio Busquets is on for Ivan Rakitic. |
| 9.32pm GMT21:32 | 9.32pm GMT21:32 |
| 74 min: Neymar misses another one! Suarez lays the ball off to Messi, who slips it to Neymar on the right. Incredibly he blazes wide of the near post! What a dismal effort that was. | 74 min: Neymar misses another one! Suarez lays the ball off to Messi, who slips it to Neymar on the right. Incredibly he blazes wide of the near post! What a dismal effort that was. |
| 9.32pm GMT21:32 | 9.32pm GMT21:32 |
| 73 min: Raphael Varane replaces Pepe. Barcelona, meanwhile, are getting Sergio Busquets ready. And soon Messi is on the run, scooting inside from the right, opening up his body and going for the curler into the far corner with his left foot. Just wide. | 73 min: Raphael Varane replaces Pepe. Barcelona, meanwhile, are getting Sergio Busquets ready. And soon Messi is on the run, scooting inside from the right, opening up his body and going for the curler into the far corner with his left foot. Just wide. |
| 9.30pm GMT21:30 | 9.30pm GMT21:30 |
| 72 min: Raphael Varane will be on soon. | 72 min: Raphael Varane will be on soon. |
| 9.29pm GMT21:29 | 9.29pm GMT21:29 |
| 71 min: Another dribble from Neymar and another shot. This one’s tame and easily blocked and Real try to counter. They’re stopped by Dani Alves - by any means necessary - and he becomes the 934th player to be booked. Who’s going to be sent off? | 71 min: Another dribble from Neymar and another shot. This one’s tame and easily blocked and Real try to counter. They’re stopped by Dani Alves - by any means necessary - and he becomes the 934th player to be booked. Who’s going to be sent off? |
| 9.27pm GMT21:27 | 9.27pm GMT21:27 |
| 69 min: Now I’ve seen everything. Cristiano Ronaldo steps up to take a free-kick, around 35 yards out, and crosses instead of shooting. It’s headed away. | 69 min: Now I’ve seen everything. Cristiano Ronaldo steps up to take a free-kick, around 35 yards out, and crosses instead of shooting. It’s headed away. |
| 9.26pm GMT21:26 | 9.26pm GMT21:26 |
| 67 min: Neymar wastes a glorious chance to finish Real off. It was a spectacular solo run from the halfway line, his swaying hips and close control leaving the Real defenders very dizzy indeed, but he ruined it by blazing over from the edge of the area when what he should have done was pass to Suarez, who was free to his right and in a better position. | 67 min: Neymar wastes a glorious chance to finish Real off. It was a spectacular solo run from the halfway line, his swaying hips and close control leaving the Real defenders very dizzy indeed, but he ruined it by blazing over from the edge of the area when what he should have done was pass to Suarez, who was free to his right and in a better position. |
| 9.24pm GMT21:24 | 9.24pm GMT21:24 |
| 66 min: A long ball over the top of the Real defence. Neymar chases after it and stumbles with Carvajal, who’s on a booking, in close attendance. The referee ignores Barcelona’s appeals. | 66 min: A long ball over the top of the Real defence. Neymar chases after it and stumbles with Carvajal, who’s on a booking, in close attendance. The referee ignores Barcelona’s appeals. |
| 9.23pm GMT21:23 | 9.23pm GMT21:23 |
| 65 min: Andres Iniesta lives up to his hard-man reputation by nobbling Carvajal. He’s booked. | 65 min: Andres Iniesta lives up to his hard-man reputation by nobbling Carvajal. He’s booked. |
| 9.22pm GMT21:22 | 9.22pm GMT21:22 |
| 64 min: The game is in danger of descending into nonsense and fouling. Isco is booked for clipping Neymar’s heels and he’ll miss Real’s next game. | 64 min: The game is in danger of descending into nonsense and fouling. Isco is booked for clipping Neymar’s heels and he’ll miss Real’s next game. |
| 9.21pm GMT21:21 | 9.21pm GMT21:21 |
| 62 min: Andres Iniesta has a cut on his arm as a result of that clash with Ramos. He’s ordered off to get some treatment. | 62 min: Andres Iniesta has a cut on his arm as a result of that clash with Ramos. He’s ordered off to get some treatment. |
| 9.20pm GMT21:20 | 9.20pm GMT21:20 |
| 60 min: Mascherano brings down Ronaldo with a heavy foul and Mascherano then collapses, claiming Ronaldo, who was on a booking, kicked out at him. There was nothing in it. Mascherano is booked, Ronaldo survives. A pathetic reaction from Mascherano. Meanwhile Ramos is down after catching one in the jaw accidentally from that notorious hard man Andres Iniesta. | 60 min: Mascherano brings down Ronaldo with a heavy foul and Mascherano then collapses, claiming Ronaldo, who was on a booking, kicked out at him. There was nothing in it. Mascherano is booked, Ronaldo survives. A pathetic reaction from Mascherano. Meanwhile Ramos is down after catching one in the jaw accidentally from that notorious hard man Andres Iniesta. |
| Updated at 9.22pm GMT | Updated at 9.22pm GMT |
| 9.17pm GMT21:17 | 9.17pm GMT21:17 |
| 58 min: Real look for an instant response. Marcelo shoots. Deflected. Corner. Kroos sends it in and Ronaldo heads over. | 58 min: Real look for an instant response. Marcelo shoots. Deflected. Corner. Kroos sends it in and Ronaldo heads over. |
| 9.15pm GMT21:15 | 9.15pm GMT21:15 |
| GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid (Suarez, 56 min) | GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid (Suarez, 56 min) |
| The lull is over! Barcelona were offering nothing, so they decide to go direct. Dani Alves lifts a raking pass over the top of the Real defence, where Suarez has pulled away from Ramos and Pepe. He controls it instantly with his right foot and then slides a brilliant diagonal finish from right to left past Casillas. Barcelona lead again and Suarez has his first Clasico goal! | The lull is over! Barcelona were offering nothing, so they decide to go direct. Dani Alves lifts a raking pass over the top of the Real defence, where Suarez has pulled away from Ramos and Pepe. He controls it instantly with his right foot and then slides a brilliant diagonal finish from right to left past Casillas. Barcelona lead again and Suarez has his first Clasico goal! |
| 9.13pm GMT21:13 | 9.13pm GMT21:13 |
| 55 min: A lull. Xavi is warming up. | 55 min: A lull. Xavi is warming up. |
| 9.10pm GMT21:10 | 9.10pm GMT21:10 |
| 52 min: But here’s Messi. He gives Kroos the slip and accelerates past Modric, who cynically brings him down 35 yards from goal, taking the booking for the team. | 52 min: But here’s Messi. He gives Kroos the slip and accelerates past Modric, who cynically brings him down 35 yards from goal, taking the booking for the team. |
| 9.09pm GMT21:09 | 9.09pm GMT21:09 |
| 51 min: Barcelona can’t get their front three into the game. Which is a problem. | 51 min: Barcelona can’t get their front three into the game. Which is a problem. |
| 9.08pm GMT21:08 | 9.08pm GMT21:08 |
| 49 min: Real counter at speed, Benzema breaking ominously down the right. Eventually the ball comes to Ronaldo on the right. He flicks it back to Benzema, who takes a touch before snapping a shot goalwards, forcing Bravo to save. Mathieu hacks clear before anyone can pounce on the rebound, but Real must be thinking that this is their game to lose. | 49 min: Real counter at speed, Benzema breaking ominously down the right. Eventually the ball comes to Ronaldo on the right. He flicks it back to Benzema, who takes a touch before snapping a shot goalwards, forcing Bravo to save. Mathieu hacks clear before anyone can pounce on the rebound, but Real must be thinking that this is their game to lose. |
| 9.06pm GMT21:06 | 9.06pm GMT21:06 |
| 48 min: Neymar scoots past Carvajal on the left and wins a free-kick by the byline. Carvajal protests his innocence, but he’s booked. “Evening Jacob,” says Simon McMahon. “I like the studio set up Sky have for their Spanish football coverage. It’s like a high class tapas bar, authentically Spanish, wine bottles and pictures of bullfights on the wall etc. with well dressed, multi-lingual pundits discussing the finer points of the game. I don’t know why they don’t do this for the Premiership. I could just see Neville and Carragher in a greasy spoon cafe with a mug of weak tea in one hand, bacon buttie in the other, sauce bottles on the tables etc.” | 48 min: Neymar scoots past Carvajal on the left and wins a free-kick by the byline. Carvajal protests his innocence, but he’s booked. “Evening Jacob,” says Simon McMahon. “I like the studio set up Sky have for their Spanish football coverage. It’s like a high class tapas bar, authentically Spanish, wine bottles and pictures of bullfights on the wall etc. with well dressed, multi-lingual pundits discussing the finer points of the game. I don’t know why they don’t do this for the Premiership. I could just see Neville and Carragher in a greasy spoon cafe with a mug of weak tea in one hand, bacon buttie in the other, sauce bottles on the tables etc.” |
| 9.04pm GMT21:04 | 9.04pm GMT21:04 |
| 46 min: Off we go again. Real attack immediately and Benzema tries to release Bale. Bravo smothers the danger. “Barcelona can’t seem to be able to take the game out of their half, hope for their sake Busquets has 45 minutes in him,” says Philip Podolsky. | 46 min: Off we go again. Real attack immediately and Benzema tries to release Bale. Bravo smothers the danger. “Barcelona can’t seem to be able to take the game out of their half, hope for their sake Busquets has 45 minutes in him,” says Philip Podolsky. |
| 8.48pm GMT20:48 | 8.48pm GMT20:48 |
| Half-time: Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid | Half-time: Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid |
| Well that flew by. Jeremy Mathieu put Barcelona ahead, but Real Madrid can always rely on Cristiano Ronaldo. “Not much happening on Messi’s side of the pitch (except Marcelo running wild),” says Charles Antaki. “He may be picking his time. Or it might be his batteries have run out. Or he could be mesmerised by Pepe’s Oscar-winning efforts.” | Well that flew by. Jeremy Mathieu put Barcelona ahead, but Real Madrid can always rely on Cristiano Ronaldo. “Not much happening on Messi’s side of the pitch (except Marcelo running wild),” says Charles Antaki. “He may be picking his time. Or it might be his batteries have run out. Or he could be mesmerised by Pepe’s Oscar-winning efforts.” |
| 8.47pm GMT20:47 | 8.47pm GMT20:47 |
| 45 min: Sergio Ramos picks up his obligatory booking for a foul on Messi. | 45 min: Sergio Ramos picks up his obligatory booking for a foul on Messi. |
| 8.46pm GMT20:46 | 8.46pm GMT20:46 |
| 43 min: Ronaldo works the ball on to his right and bullets one towards the top corner from 25 yards. Bravo tips it over for a corner. It’s all Real at the moment and from the resulting corner from Kroos, Bale should score. The ball lands at his feet and he screws the ball wide with his swinger of a right boot. Barcelona could do with half-time. | 43 min: Ronaldo works the ball on to his right and bullets one towards the top corner from 25 yards. Bravo tips it over for a corner. It’s all Real at the moment and from the resulting corner from Kroos, Bale should score. The ball lands at his feet and he screws the ball wide with his swinger of a right boot. Barcelona could do with half-time. |
| 8.44pm GMT20:44 | 8.44pm GMT20:44 |
| 42 min: Another replay suggests that Ronaldo might have been offside when he flicked the ball on to Bale. It’s tight. | 42 min: Another replay suggests that Ronaldo might have been offside when he flicked the ball on to Bale. It’s tight. |
| 8.43pm GMT20:43 | 8.43pm GMT20:43 |
| 41 min: Gerard Pique tries to score with a bicycle kick from 20 yards. It’s good to know your limits. | 41 min: Gerard Pique tries to score with a bicycle kick from 20 yards. It’s good to know your limits. |
| 8.43pm GMT20:43 | 8.43pm GMT20:43 |
| 40 min: Gareth Bale puts the ball into the Barcelona net, but the flag goes up for offside! A cross came in from the left, Ronaldo flicked it on and Bale diverted the ball past Bravo from close range. But his joy is shortlived. Was it offside, though? No! The replay shows that Bale was a yard or two onside! That’s a bad decision - unless the flag was against Ronaldo. | 40 min: Gareth Bale puts the ball into the Barcelona net, but the flag goes up for offside! A cross came in from the left, Ronaldo flicked it on and Bale diverted the ball past Bravo from close range. But his joy is shortlived. Was it offside, though? No! The replay shows that Bale was a yard or two onside! That’s a bad decision - unless the flag was against Ronaldo. |
| 8.41pm GMT20:41 | 8.41pm GMT20:41 |
| 39 min: Bale finally shakes off Alba and charges down the right and into the area. This is trouble for Barcelona, but Pique storms across on the cover and times his challenge perfectly. Real have a corner. | 39 min: Bale finally shakes off Alba and charges down the right and into the area. This is trouble for Barcelona, but Pique storms across on the cover and times his challenge perfectly. Real have a corner. |
| 8.40pm GMT20:40 | 8.40pm GMT20:40 |
| 38 min: What this game needs is the calming presence of Steven Gerrard. | 38 min: What this game needs is the calming presence of Steven Gerrard. |
| 8.40pm GMT20:40 | 8.40pm GMT20:40 |
| 37 min: Cristiano Ronaldo goes on a turbo surge into the Barcelona area. Pique hangs out his right leg and Ronaldo goes down. The referee blows and books Ronaldo for diving. Alba is also booked for dissent. | 37 min: Cristiano Ronaldo goes on a turbo surge into the Barcelona area. Pique hangs out his right leg and Ronaldo goes down. The referee blows and books Ronaldo for diving. Alba is also booked for dissent. |
| 8.38pm GMT20:38 | 8.38pm GMT20:38 |
| 36 min: No. “Suarez ‘bites your legs’ in the manner of Norman Hunter,” Mark Judd says. “Older readers look him up.” | 36 min: No. “Suarez ‘bites your legs’ in the manner of Norman Hunter,” Mark Judd says. “Older readers look him up.” |
| 8.38pm GMT20:38 | 8.38pm GMT20:38 |
| 35 min: Rakitic brings down Pepe from behind. Pepe is making a big show of letting everyone know he’s hurt. But is he actually hurt? What do we think? | 35 min: Rakitic brings down Pepe from behind. Pepe is making a big show of letting everyone know he’s hurt. But is he actually hurt? What do we think? |
| 8.37pm GMT20:37 | 8.37pm GMT20:37 |
| 33 min: Modric, who has been superb, tries his luck from 25 yards. Wide. | 33 min: Modric, who has been superb, tries his luck from 25 yards. Wide. |
| 8.36pm GMT20:36 | 8.36pm GMT20:36 |
| 32 min: Neymar must be frustrated with himself. He kicks out at Bale on the right and is fortunate not to land himself in the referee’s notebook. | 32 min: Neymar must be frustrated with himself. He kicks out at Bale on the right and is fortunate not to land himself in the referee’s notebook. |
| 8.36pm GMT20:36 | 8.36pm GMT20:36 |
| GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, 31 min) | GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, 31 min) |
| This is exquisite from Real Madrid. They pour up the other end after that escape a moment or two ago and Modric prods an incisive pass into the Barcelona area for Benzema. He has his back to goal, but he completely dupes the Barcelona defence with a backheel into the path of Ronaldo, who speeds on to the ball, reaching it before Alves and then almost toe-punting a wonderful finish past with Bravo with his right foot! Neymar will be kicking himself. | This is exquisite from Real Madrid. They pour up the other end after that escape a moment or two ago and Modric prods an incisive pass into the Barcelona area for Benzema. He has his back to goal, but he completely dupes the Barcelona defence with a backheel into the path of Ronaldo, who speeds on to the ball, reaching it before Alves and then almost toe-punting a wonderful finish past with Bravo with his right foot! Neymar will be kicking himself. |
| 8.34pm GMT20:34 | 8.34pm GMT20:34 |
| 31 min: Rakitic sends the corner to the near post. Marcelo heads it behind for another. The ball is sent into the mixer again and it leads to an almighty bout of head tennis. What is this, West Ham v Stoke? Eventually the ball drops to Suarez on the right. He scuffs his shot across goal but it falls to Neymar in the six-yard box. Somehow, with the whole goal to aim at, he sends his shot straight at Casillas! And that’s a costly miss, because... | 31 min: Rakitic sends the corner to the near post. Marcelo heads it behind for another. The ball is sent into the mixer again and it leads to an almighty bout of head tennis. What is this, West Ham v Stoke? Eventually the ball drops to Suarez on the right. He scuffs his shot across goal but it falls to Neymar in the six-yard box. Somehow, with the whole goal to aim at, he sends his shot straight at Casillas! And that’s a costly miss, because... |
| 8.32pm GMT20:32 | 8.32pm GMT20:32 |
| 30 min: A lucky ricochet goes Barcelona’s way, Rakitic’s pass deflecting off a Real midfielder and behind for a corner on the left, Casillas unable to get there in time. | 30 min: A lucky ricochet goes Barcelona’s way, Rakitic’s pass deflecting off a Real midfielder and behind for a corner on the left, Casillas unable to get there in time. |
| 8.30pm GMT20:30 | 8.30pm GMT20:30 |
| 28 min: It’s Luis Suarez 1-2 Pepe. Suarez swipes his studs down the back of Pepe’s calf and picks up a booking. These two. He was nowhere near the ball. | 28 min: It’s Luis Suarez 1-2 Pepe. Suarez swipes his studs down the back of Pepe’s calf and picks up a booking. These two. He was nowhere near the ball. |
| 8.30pm GMT20:30 | 8.30pm GMT20:30 |
| 27 min: This game is all about Mathieu. Now he almost scores an own goal as he rises to deal with a cross from the left, his header dropping not too far wide of the post. He didn’t actually need to do that, there were no Real attackers behind him, and he asks Bravo why he didn’t give him a shout. “What Madrid need is another summer shopping trip to their London feeder club,” says Matt Dony. “Next season, with Kane leading the line, we’ll have a very different game on our hands.” | 27 min: This game is all about Mathieu. Now he almost scores an own goal as he rises to deal with a cross from the left, his header dropping not too far wide of the post. He didn’t actually need to do that, there were no Real attackers behind him, and he asks Bravo why he didn’t give him a shout. “What Madrid need is another summer shopping trip to their London feeder club,” says Matt Dony. “Next season, with Kane leading the line, we’ll have a very different game on our hands.” |
| 8.28pm GMT20:28 | 8.28pm GMT20:28 |
| 26 min: Marcelo is a threat. He beats one man, then two, but his low drive from 18 yards is blocked by Mathieu. What a game he’s having! The Frenchman is outshining Messi, Suarez and Neymar. | 26 min: Marcelo is a threat. He beats one man, then two, but his low drive from 18 yards is blocked by Mathieu. What a game he’s having! The Frenchman is outshining Messi, Suarez and Neymar. |
| 8.27pm GMT20:27 | 8.27pm GMT20:27 |
| 25 min: Real enjoy a spell of possession outside the Barcelona area. There’s no way through, however, not yet, Barcelona keeping their shape well. Real have to be patient. | 25 min: Real enjoy a spell of possession outside the Barcelona area. There’s no way through, however, not yet, Barcelona keeping their shape well. Real have to be patient. |
| 8.26pm GMT20:26 | 8.26pm GMT20:26 |
| 24 min: A low corner from Rakitic reaches Messi. He tees up Alba for a shot from 25 yards. Over it goes. | 24 min: A low corner from Rakitic reaches Messi. He tees up Alba for a shot from 25 yards. Over it goes. |
| 8.25pm GMT20:25 | 8.25pm GMT20:25 |
| 23 min: The free-kick is in a central position, just to the left, surely made for the right foot of Neymar. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, Messi also fancies a go. His left-footed effort hits the top of the wall and goes behind for a corner on the right. | 23 min: The free-kick is in a central position, just to the left, surely made for the right foot of Neymar. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, Messi also fancies a go. His left-footed effort hits the top of the wall and goes behind for a corner on the right. |
| 8.24pm GMT20:24 | 8.24pm GMT20:24 |
| 21 min: Pepe tries to make friends with Suarez again. Suarez is cute enough to buy the foul off Pepe, around 30 yards from goal, and to add insult to injury, Pepe is booked. | 21 min: Pepe tries to make friends with Suarez again. Suarez is cute enough to buy the foul off Pepe, around 30 yards from goal, and to add insult to injury, Pepe is booked. |
| 8.23pm GMT20:23 | 8.23pm GMT20:23 |
| GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid (Mathieu, 19 min) | GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid (Mathieu, 19 min) |
| Who had Jeremy Mathieu as first goalscorer in the sweepstake? If so, you are in luck! No one saw this coming. Messi clipped a delightful ball into the area from the left and Mathieu got in front of Ramos and powered a low header past Casillas, who had no chance of keeping that out! That’s Mathieu’s first goal for Barcelona and he’s picked a pretty good time to score it. | Who had Jeremy Mathieu as first goalscorer in the sweepstake? If so, you are in luck! No one saw this coming. Messi clipped a delightful ball into the area from the left and Mathieu got in front of Ramos and powered a low header past Casillas, who had no chance of keeping that out! That’s Mathieu’s first goal for Barcelona and he’s picked a pretty good time to score it. |
| 8.21pm GMT20:21 | 8.21pm GMT20:21 |
| 19 min: Pepe introduces himself to Suarez. What a pair. Free-kick to Barcelona on the left. And... | 19 min: Pepe introduces himself to Suarez. What a pair. Free-kick to Barcelona on the left. And... |
| 8.20pm GMT20:20 | 8.20pm GMT20:20 |
| 17 min: Barcelona probe again. Messi starts the move on the right, skipping past Marcelo, and then swerving to the left and finding Neymar on the left side of the Real area. Neymar clips it into the middle and Messi, his run unchecked, heads well wide. If he’d left it, the ball probably would have reached the unmarked Dani Alves. | 17 min: Barcelona probe again. Messi starts the move on the right, skipping past Marcelo, and then swerving to the left and finding Neymar on the left side of the Real area. Neymar clips it into the middle and Messi, his run unchecked, heads well wide. If he’d left it, the ball probably would have reached the unmarked Dani Alves. |
| 8.18pm GMT20:18 | 8.18pm GMT20:18 |
| 15 min: Real have started to dominate possession in the past few minutes. They’ve settled down. | 15 min: Real have started to dominate possession in the past few minutes. They’ve settled down. |
| 8.16pm GMT20:16 | 8.16pm GMT20:16 |
| 13 min: Another chance for Real. Carvajal swings a cross to the far post and Ronaldo, under pressure, heads over. That wasn’t as good as the chance a minute ago. | 13 min: Another chance for Real. Carvajal swings a cross to the far post and Ronaldo, under pressure, heads over. That wasn’t as good as the chance a minute ago. |
| 8.15pm GMT20:15 | 8.15pm GMT20:15 |
| 12 min: Ronaldo hits the bar! Marcelo drives inside from the left and opens Barcelona up with an astute pass through to Benzema. He could shoot, but the ball gets stuck under his feet, so instead he twists and turns and then lofts a cross to the far post to Ronaldo, who sidefoots his volley against the bar from close range! By his standards, that is a woeful miss. Real would not have wanted anyone else in that position. From the resulting corner, Isco has another sighter from the edge of the area, but his deflected effort flashes just wide. Suddenly Real have woken up. | 12 min: Ronaldo hits the bar! Marcelo drives inside from the left and opens Barcelona up with an astute pass through to Benzema. He could shoot, but the ball gets stuck under his feet, so instead he twists and turns and then lofts a cross to the far post to Ronaldo, who sidefoots his volley against the bar from close range! By his standards, that is a woeful miss. Real would not have wanted anyone else in that position. From the resulting corner, Isco has another sighter from the edge of the area, but his deflected effort flashes just wide. Suddenly Real have woken up. |
| 8.12pm GMT20:12 | 8.12pm GMT20:12 |
| 10 min: Ronaldo loses the ball again. Barcelona look sharp out of possession. They mean business. But Real are doing well to keep them at arm’s length in the final third. | 10 min: Ronaldo loses the ball again. Barcelona look sharp out of possession. They mean business. But Real are doing well to keep them at arm’s length in the final third. |
| 8.11pm GMT20:11 | 8.11pm GMT20:11 |
| 9 min: Bale tries to run Alba. No dice. | 9 min: Bale tries to run Alba. No dice. |
| 8.10pm GMT20:10 | 8.10pm GMT20:10 |
| 8 min: Bale gets on the ball for the first time. No one boos him. He dribbles inside and plays a reverse pass through to Benzema, down the right channel. Benzema is faced by Pique and decides to take an early shot from a tight angle, the ball dribbling well wide of the far post. | 8 min: Bale gets on the ball for the first time. No one boos him. He dribbles inside and plays a reverse pass through to Benzema, down the right channel. Benzema is faced by Pique and decides to take an early shot from a tight angle, the ball dribbling well wide of the far post. |
| 8.09pm GMT20:09 | 8.09pm GMT20:09 |
| 7 min: Neymar feeds a pass into Suarez. He shields the ball and tries to return the favour, but Carvajal shepherds it out of play, with Neymar breathing down his neck. | 7 min: Neymar feeds a pass into Suarez. He shields the ball and tries to return the favour, but Carvajal shepherds it out of play, with Neymar breathing down his neck. |
| 8.08pm GMT20:08 | 8.08pm GMT20:08 |
| 6 min: Isco cuts inside from the left and tries to slither a pass through to Bale. Nope. | 6 min: Isco cuts inside from the left and tries to slither a pass through to Bale. Nope. |
| 8.07pm GMT20:07 | 8.07pm GMT20:07 |
| 5 min: There are boos every time Ronaldo gets the ball. He’s not very popular in this part of the world. | 5 min: There are boos every time Ronaldo gets the ball. He’s not very popular in this part of the world. |
| 8.06pm GMT20:06 | 8.06pm GMT20:06 |
| 4 min: With Iniesta receiving treatment, Barca take the corner. It’s cleared and Iniesta is able to rejoin the fray. That’s a relief. | 4 min: With Iniesta receiving treatment, Barca take the corner. It’s cleared and Iniesta is able to rejoin the fray. That’s a relief. |
| 8.06pm GMT20:06 | 8.06pm GMT20:06 |
| 3 min: Barcelona look bright and inventive already. Iniesta plays a sumptuous one-two with Suarez on the left and breaks past the Real defence on the left. He cuts it back into the six-yard box, where the ball bounces first off Rakitic, then Isco and then over the bar for a corner. The worry for Barca, though, is that Iniesta is down, clutching his ankle. They’ll be desperate not to lose him. | 3 min: Barcelona look bright and inventive already. Iniesta plays a sumptuous one-two with Suarez on the left and breaks past the Real defence on the left. He cuts it back into the six-yard box, where the ball bounces first off Rakitic, then Isco and then over the bar for a corner. The worry for Barca, though, is that Iniesta is down, clutching his ankle. They’ll be desperate not to lose him. |
| 8.04pm GMT20:04 | 8.04pm GMT20:04 |
| 2 min: Casillas boots a clearance out for a throw. There are jeers. He’s not been in great form for, well, about three years. | 2 min: Casillas boots a clearance out for a throw. There are jeers. He’s not been in great form for, well, about three years. |
| 8.04pm GMT20:04 | 8.04pm GMT20:04 |
| And we’re off! Barcelona, kicking from right to left in the first half, get the ball rolling. But soon Ronaldo has the ball. He sprints down the left, with piercing whistles in his ears, and is swiftly double-teamed by Rakitic and Alves. | And we’re off! Barcelona, kicking from right to left in the first half, get the ball rolling. But soon Ronaldo has the ball. He sprints down the left, with piercing whistles in his ears, and is swiftly double-teamed by Rakitic and Alves. |
| 7.59pm GMT19:59 | 7.59pm GMT19:59 |
| A bit more tunnel hugging and then it’s time for the teams to emerge! The lights are shining and the Camp Nou rises to sing Barcelona’s anthem. It’s a sea of red and blue. Plus a bit of yellow. But mostly red and blue. A bit like Selhurst Park. | A bit more tunnel hugging and then it’s time for the teams to emerge! The lights are shining and the Camp Nou rises to sing Barcelona’s anthem. It’s a sea of red and blue. Plus a bit of yellow. But mostly red and blue. A bit like Selhurst Park. |
| Updated at 8.00pm GMT | Updated at 8.00pm GMT |
| 7.57pm GMT19:57 | 7.57pm GMT19:57 |
| The players are in the tunnel. Xavi and Iker Casillas are sharing a tender hug. Now Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric are at it. How sweet. I doubt that would have happened when Jose Mourinho was at Real Madrid. “Speaking of inconsistent naming (BBC), has anyone confirmed whether AS Monaco’s Elderson is, in fact, an elder son?” says Peter McMurry. “Are his siblings named Youngerson, Youngestson, and ButYouToldMeYouHadAVasectomySon?” | The players are in the tunnel. Xavi and Iker Casillas are sharing a tender hug. Now Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric are at it. How sweet. I doubt that would have happened when Jose Mourinho was at Real Madrid. “Speaking of inconsistent naming (BBC), has anyone confirmed whether AS Monaco’s Elderson is, in fact, an elder son?” says Peter McMurry. “Are his siblings named Youngerson, Youngestson, and ButYouToldMeYouHadAVasectomySon?” |
| Updated at 7.58pm GMT | Updated at 7.58pm GMT |
| 7.51pm GMT19:51 | 7.51pm GMT19:51 |
| Kick-off is not far away. Excitement is building. “Why?” asks Ruth Purdue. “Cause they pass to each other? No seriously…when they play together its like watching art. So quick, so memorising.” | Kick-off is not far away. Excitement is building. “Why?” asks Ruth Purdue. “Cause they pass to each other? No seriously…when they play together its like watching art. So quick, so memorising.” |
| 7.47pm GMT19:47 | 7.47pm GMT19:47 |
| “Which front 3 would you rather have?” says Ruth Purdue. “Such a touch question, I can’t decide.” | “Which front 3 would you rather have?” says Ruth Purdue. “Such a touch question, I can’t decide.” |
| Messi-Suarez-Neymar. | Messi-Suarez-Neymar. |
| 7.33pm GMT19:33 | 7.33pm GMT19:33 |
| Point of order: under no circumstances should anyone refer to Real’s front three as the BBC. It makes no sense at all. It’s inconsistent, two surnames combined with one first name. Stop it. Stop it now. They are the RBB or the RBB or the BBR or the BBR or the BRB or the BRB. | Point of order: under no circumstances should anyone refer to Real’s front three as the BBC. It makes no sense at all. It’s inconsistent, two surnames combined with one first name. Stop it. Stop it now. They are the RBB or the RBB or the BBR or the BBR or the BRB or the BRB. |
| Updated at 7.33pm GMT | Updated at 7.33pm GMT |
| 7.27pm GMT19:27 | 7.27pm GMT19:27 |
| And what an all-star cast it is! Iniesta, Rakitic, Messi, Suarez and Neymar on one side, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo. There is no logical scenario in which this match cannot be good. | And what an all-star cast it is! Iniesta, Rakitic, Messi, Suarez and Neymar on one side, Modric, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo. There is no logical scenario in which this match cannot be good. |
| 7.19pm GMT19:19 | 7.19pm GMT19:19 |
| Tonight's all-star cast | Tonight's all-star cast |
| Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Mascherano, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar. Subs: Ter Stegen, Adriano, Bartra, Busquets, Rafinha, Xavi, Pedro. | Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Alba; Mascherano, Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar. Subs: Ter Stegen, Adriano, Bartra, Busquets, Rafinha, Xavi, Pedro. |
| Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo. Subs: Navas, Varane, Arbeloa, Silva, Illarramendi, Jese, Hernandez. | Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo. Subs: Navas, Varane, Arbeloa, Silva, Illarramendi, Jese, Hernandez. |
| Busy Whistling Man: Mateu Lahoz. | Busy Whistling Man: Mateu Lahoz. |
| Updated at 7.26pm GMT | Updated at 7.26pm GMT |
| 6.30pm GMT18:30 | 6.30pm GMT18:30 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| We need to talk about Lionel Messi. He’s not bad, is he? | We need to talk about Lionel Messi. He’s not bad, is he? |
| Just look at what he did to Manchester City on Wednesday night. It’s not often that you’ll see a manager who’s on a scouting mission squealing with delight in the stands, but nothing could sum up Messi’s performance against City than the way Pep Guardiola reacted to his various flicks, tricks, nutmegs, dinks, dribbles, scampers, passes, crosses and shots on goal. It was a Messi masterclass - poor James Milner, poor Fernandinho, poor Manchester City - and Guardiola simply couldn’t hide his emotions. He was acting like the particularly annoying person at the cinema who won’t stop whooping whenever something vaguely interesting happens during the film, but can you blame him? That’s Messi for you. Even the best manager in the world is not immune to his unique charms. Even Guardiola is reduced to childlike glee when Messi is in that mood. | Just look at what he did to Manchester City on Wednesday night. It’s not often that you’ll see a manager who’s on a scouting mission squealing with delight in the stands, but nothing could sum up Messi’s performance against City than the way Pep Guardiola reacted to his various flicks, tricks, nutmegs, dinks, dribbles, scampers, passes, crosses and shots on goal. It was a Messi masterclass - poor James Milner, poor Fernandinho, poor Manchester City - and Guardiola simply couldn’t hide his emotions. He was acting like the particularly annoying person at the cinema who won’t stop whooping whenever something vaguely interesting happens during the film, but can you blame him? That’s Messi for you. Even the best manager in the world is not immune to his unique charms. Even Guardiola is reduced to childlike glee when Messi is in that mood. |
| It’s safe to say that Messi is back. This is probably his best run of form since 2012, injuries and poor tactical decisions from his managers holding him back in the past couple of years, and that is mightily good news for Barcelona and, potentially, mightily bad news for Real Madrid, who really could do without losing The El Clasico this evening. | It’s safe to say that Messi is back. This is probably his best run of form since 2012, injuries and poor tactical decisions from his managers holding him back in the past couple of years, and that is mightily good news for Barcelona and, potentially, mightily bad news for Real Madrid, who really could do without losing The El Clasico this evening. |
| Not so long ago, Real ruled La Liga and Barcelona were in crisis. Real were on top and when Barcelona lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad on 4 January, Camp Nou was engulfed in crisis. Luis Enrique was supposedly for the chop, an unhappy Messi was reportedly thinking about a summer move and Luis Suarez was straying dangerously close towards Flop Territory. Yet a few tactical tweaks here, a few kicks up the backside there and the Messi-Suarez-Neymar triumvirate has clicked beautifully, and Barcelona’s record since the Sociedad nadir reads: WWWWWWWWWWWLWWWWWW. | Not so long ago, Real ruled La Liga and Barcelona were in crisis. Real were on top and when Barcelona lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad on 4 January, Camp Nou was engulfed in crisis. Luis Enrique was supposedly for the chop, an unhappy Messi was reportedly thinking about a summer move and Luis Suarez was straying dangerously close towards Flop Territory. Yet a few tactical tweaks here, a few kicks up the backside there and the Messi-Suarez-Neymar triumvirate has clicked beautifully, and Barcelona’s record since the Sociedad nadir reads: WWWWWWWWWWWLWWWWWW. |
| Things change and now it’s Real’s turn to be In Crisis. Frankly they have been deeply underwhelming since the turn of the year. The fans have been jeering Gareth Bale, they’ve been humiliated by Atletico Madrid in the league and knocked out by them in the Copa del Rey, Cristiano Ronaldo has been frowning a lot, Carlo Ancelotti is under increasing pressure and they’ve relinquished their lead at the top to Barcelona after a few slip-ups. Above all, they’re not playing well, as we saw when they squeaked past Schalke in the last 16 of the Champions League. | Things change and now it’s Real’s turn to be In Crisis. Frankly they have been deeply underwhelming since the turn of the year. The fans have been jeering Gareth Bale, they’ve been humiliated by Atletico Madrid in the league and knocked out by them in the Copa del Rey, Cristiano Ronaldo has been frowning a lot, Carlo Ancelotti is under increasing pressure and they’ve relinquished their lead at the top to Barcelona after a few slip-ups. Above all, they’re not playing well, as we saw when they squeaked past Schalke in the last 16 of the Champions League. |
| But things change! A win tonight puts Real back in first place and they reckon that the return of Luka Modric from injury is going to steady the ship in midfield. He’s a fine player. Although he’s no Messi. Which means that it’s just as well that Madrid have Ronaldo. | But things change! A win tonight puts Real back in first place and they reckon that the return of Luka Modric from injury is going to steady the ship in midfield. He’s a fine player. Although he’s no Messi. Which means that it’s just as well that Madrid have Ronaldo. |
| Kick-off: 8pm in England, 9pm in Barcelona. | Kick-off: 8pm in England, 9pm in Barcelona. |