La Liga Champions Barcelona maintained their season-long unbeaten LaLiga run with a 2-2 Clasico draw against rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou, despite Sergi Roberto’s first-half red card.
Barca played 45 minutes with 10 men but managed to extend their record undefeated streak in the top flight to 42 matches, a record that stretches back to April 2017.
Luis Suarez gave the Catalan giants an early lead by turning in a terrific right-wing cross from Roberto, but the advantage did not last long as Madrid hit back in the 14th minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo – substituted at half-time due to injury – equalled Alfredo Di Stefano’s record of 18 Clasico goals for Madrid by tapping in a clever Karim Benzema header back across goal.
Madrid’s chances of winning were boosted by Roberto’s red card for appearing to strike Marcelo in the face late in the first half, although Gareth Bale could have also been dismissed after seeming to stamp on the back of Samuel Umtiti’s leg.
Although they were a man light, Barca regained the lead thanks to a sensational Lionel Messi goal – his 26th in this fixture – but Madrid felt Suarez fouled Raphael Varane in the build-up.
Bale had the final say by getting his first LaLiga Clasico goal with a 20-yard strike to claim a point for Madrid, who stay 15 points behind their irrepressible rivals.
No comments:
Post a Comment