Barcelona snatched a 2-1 Clasico win over Real Madrid with Franck Kessie’s late aim Sunday to maneuver 12 factors clear on the prime of La Liga.
The victory dents Madrid’s ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans near lifting the trophy for the primary time since 2019.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real took the lead by way of a Ronald Araujo personal aim however Barcelona pulled degree when Sergi Roberto tucked house simply earlier than half-time.
Both sides had probabilities to win the sport and Marco Asensio struck for Madrid, however the aim was dominated offside by VAR, earlier than Alejandro Balde arrange Kessie in the 92nd minute.
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The build-up to the match was overshadowed by Barcelona’s corruption cost in the “Caso Negreira” refereeing scandal.
Madrid joined Spanish prosecutors’ complaint against Barcelona last week and their president Florentino Perez snubbed the game for the first time in over 20 years, amid rising tensions between the two Spanish giants.
That fed the match’s intensity, both on and off the pitch, in Xavi’s sixth Clasico as Barcelona coach but only his first at Camp Nou.
Xavi asked fans to make the stadium a pressure cooker and they responded, selling it out, whistling Madrid in possession and conjuring one of the best atmospheres of the season.
Madrid did not manage a single shot on target in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg defeat by Barcelona earlier in March, but Karim Benzema stung Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s palms inside the first minute.
Robert Lewandowski responded at the other end by testing Thibaut Courtois as the veteran marksmen exchanged shots.
When Barcelona conceded the opening goal of the game, it was friendly fire. Araujo deflected Vinicius’ cross in at the near post, with Ter Stegen helpless.
Araujo, playing at right-back to counteract the Brazilian, has enjoyed his duels with Vinicius in the past but this time the winger triumphed, albeit fortuitously. Barcelona supporters became enraged by his emphatic celebration in front of them.
Courtois, who made an excellent save to keep out an early Raphinha header, could only watch as Andreas Christensen met another cross unmarked, but nodded off-target.
The Danish centre-back came close again with a flicked effort from a corner, before Courtois tipped over another stinging Raphinha drive, the Brazilian in overdrive on the right in Ousmane Dembele’s absence.
Barcelona complained defender Nacho, already booked, should have been sent off for a hand-off on Raphinha.
The hosts did not get their wish, but were building up steam and found the breakthrough just before half-time, from an unlikely source.
Selected in place of injured midfielder Pedri, Sergi Roberto was in the fitting place on the proper time to regulate a free ball in the field and arc it past Courtois.
Barcelona had significantly more possession than in their cup win over Madrid and significantly more chances.
Lewandowski sent a deflected piledriver narrowly wide as Madrid wobbled, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to roll the dice and bring on Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.
It almost paid instant dividends as Madrid robbed Sergio Busquets and Rodrygo lashed inches over the bar.
Madrid substitute Asensio fired home what might have been the winner but the goal was ruled out for offside after a nervy wait for VAR instruction.
Barcelona seemed content with the draw but Kessie’s last-gasp strike sparked wild celebrations at Camp Nou.
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