Timesof24
Barcelona snatched a 2-1 Clasico win over Actual Madrid with Franck Kessie’s late purpose Sunday to maneuver 12 factors clear on the high 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 Actual took the lead by means of a Ronald Araujo personal purpose however Barcelona pulled stage when Sergi Roberto tucked dwelling simply earlier than half-time.
Each side had probabilities to win the sport and Marco Asensio struck for Madrid, however the purpose was dominated offside by VAR, earlier than Alejandro Balde arrange Kessie within the 92nd minute.
The build-up to the match was overshadowed by Barcelona’s corruption cost within the “Caso Negreira” refereeing scandal.
Madrid joined Spanish prosecutors’ grievance in opposition to Barcelona final week and their president Florentino Perez snubbed the sport for the primary time in over 20 years, amid rising tensions between the 2 Spanish giants.
That fed the match’s depth, each on and off the pitch, in Xavi’s sixth Clasico as Barcelona coach however solely his first at Camp Nou.
Xavi requested followers to make the stadium a strain cooker and so they responded, promoting it out, whistling Madrid in possession and conjuring top-of-the-line atmospheres of the season.
Madrid didn’t handle a single shot on course of their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg defeat by Barcelona earlier in March, however Karim Benzema stung Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s palms inside the primary minute.
Robert Lewandowski responded on the different finish by testing Thibaut Courtois because the veteran marksmen exchanged pictures.
When Barcelona conceded the opening purpose of the sport, it was pleasant hearth. Araujo deflected Vinicius’ cross in on the close to submit, with Ter Stegen helpless.
Araujo, taking part in at right-back to counteract the Brazilian, has loved his duels with Vinicius prior to now however this time the winger triumphed, albeit fortuitously. Barcelona supporters turned enraged by his emphatic celebration in entrance of them.
It was the primary purpose from open play Barcelona have conceded at Camp Nou in La Liga all season lengthy, and solely the second strike at dwelling and ninth general.
Courtois, who made a wonderful save to maintain out an early Raphinha header, may solely watch as Andreas Christensen met one other cross unmarked, however nodded off-target.
The Danish centre-back got here shut once more with a flicked effort from a nook, earlier than Courtois tipped over one other stinging Raphinha drive, the Brazilian in overdrive on the appropriate in Ousmane Dembele’s absence.
Barcelona complained defender Nacho, already booked, ought to have been despatched off for a hand-off on Raphinha.
The hosts didn’t get their want, however had been increase steam and located the breakthrough simply earlier than half-time, from an unlikely supply.
Chosen instead of injured midfielder Pedri, Sergi Roberto was in the appropriate place on the proper time to regulate a unfastened ball within the field and arc it past Courtois.
Barcelona had considerably extra possession than of their cup win over Madrid and considerably extra probabilities.
Lewandowski despatched a deflected piledriver narrowly broad as Madrid wobbled, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to roll the cube and convey on Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.
It nearly paid on the spot dividends as Madrid robbed Sergio Busquets and Rodrygo lashed inches over the bar.
Madrid substitute Asensio fired dwelling what may need been the winner however the purpose was dominated out for offside after a nervy look ahead to VAR instruction.
Barcelona appeared content material with the draw however Kessie’s last-gasp strike sparked wild celebrations at Camp Nou.
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