Gareth Bale scored a stunning equaliser to cancel out Lionel Messi’s solo goal at the Nou Camp in the 271st Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, as Andres Iniesta played his final part in one of these epic encounters.
Iniesta is set to move to China in the coming months, but ran the show at times for Barca – who were reduced to ten men in the first half after Sergi Roberto lashed out in a coming together with Marcelo. Cristiano Ronaldo also scored for the visitors, but injured himself in the process – with concerns growing over his potential involvement in the Champions League final.
The newly crowned Spanish champions instantly took control of the match, seeing the majority of the ball inside Real Madrid’s half, and it took just 10 minutes for the home side to take the lead, as Roberto delivered a fantastic cross to Luis Suarez – who neatly volleyed in his 30th goal of the season to give Barcelona an early lead.
However, Madrid hit back within just five minutes, as Ronaldo raced into the box to tap-in a cushioned Karim Benzema header.
Ronaldo’s 25th La Liga goal of the season also brought him level with Alfredo Di Stefano’s Clasico record, with 18 goals against Barcelona.
Ronaldo’s goal clearly inspired Madrid, as the away side started to find their feet shortly after. The Portuguese international almost bagged another immediately after his goal, as the Barcelona defence fell asleep, but Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was wide awake to smartly stop Ronaldo’s shot.
Despite Madrid’s eyes firmly set on the Champions League final and Barcelona already champions of Spain, both teams were not stepping off the gas in this enticing match-up.
The game started with a fiery atmosphere and it turned out to be strong theme in the match, with things reaching boiling point just before the end of the half.
Suarez and Sergio Ramos clashed, just before Messi decided to get in on the action with a poor tackle of his own on the Real defender. Messi found himself in the referee’s book.
Shortly after the incidents with Ramos, Barcelona right-back Roberto had his say.
The Spaniard raised his fist towards the face Marcelo after a confrontation between the two; the referee noticed and wasted no time in brandishing a red card for the Barcelona man.
