Real Madrid vs Barcelona el clasico: Lionel Messi goal secures incredible victory after Sergio Ramos red card
Re-live all the action from el clascio at the Bernabeu
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Barcelona kept their La Liga title hopes very much alive with a thrilling 3-2 el clasico victory over Real Madrid to draw level with their great rivals and inject the end of their campaign with a welcome boost of momentum, with Lionel Messi once again proving the Catalans' saviour after Sergio Ramos was sent-off. Re-live the action here.
- Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona
- Casemiro put Real ahead before Lionel Messi equalised
- Ivan Rakitic then put Barca ahead in the second half
- Sergio Ramos given straight red card for vicious tackle on Messi
- James Rodriguez came off the bench to equalise for 10-man Real
- Messi struck 10 seconds before full-time to secure the victory
What time does it start?
The match will kick off at 7.45pm BST on Sunday 23 April.
Where can I watch it?
It will be shown live on Sky Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7.00pm.
It's a big game for...
Luis Enrique. With Barcelona trailing league leaders Real by three points, the Barcelona manager heads into this fixture knowing only a win can reignite his chances of bidding farewell to the club on the back of a league and cup double.
The same haul last year was largely seen as a failure. Bowing out of the championship picture now, as the only club of the big three to exit the Champions League, would mean that even winning the Copa del Rey next month couldn't save the 46-year-old from exiting on a low. It's all nothing for Enrique.
Remember when...
Barcelona ran four past their rivals in late 2015? Luis Suarez struck twice at the Bernabeu in a dominant victory that saw Barca move six points clear at the top of La Liga.
Player to watch...
Isco: This could be the game that the midfielder has been waiting for. With Gareth Bale unlikely to feature, despite returning to training on Thursday, Isco has been tipped to start for Zinedine Zidane's side.
Gifted and versatile, the player's recent form suggests he is finally poised to achieve something he has yet to manage at the Bernabeu: becoming a firm fixture in the Real starting line-up. His last-minute winner against Sporting Gijon this month showed what he is capable of and suggests Enrique's men should treat him with respect on Sunday.
Past three meetings...
Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 1
La Liga, December 2016
Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2
La Liga, April 2016
Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 4
La Liga, November 2015
Form
Real Madrid: WWWDWW
Barcelona: DWLLWW
Odds
Real Madrid to win: 21/20
Barcelona to win: 21/10
Draw: 29/10
45+2 min: And now Messi misses a sitter. There's no other word for it.
Corner from the left, Navas totally misses it and the back post is unguarded. Messi's there and can score on the volley, but he somehow puts the chance wide.
Half-time: Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 1
That's half-time. Madrid started strongly and eventually scored, but it's been Barcelona on top since Casemiro's opener.
The Brazilian probably shouldn't be on the pitch and Messi, who grabbed Barca's equaliser, should have put his side ahead at the end of the half.
47 min: Lovely burst forward from Asensio, he plays it out to Carvajal, ball crossed in but Pique's sliding in to take the ball out for a corner.
Top defending.
50 min: Benzema is perhaps lucky not to enter the referee's book. A late tackle on Busquets receives no card.
52 min: Once again, Madrid have started strongly. Ter Stegen's forced into another important save.
Marcelo's played in behind, he whips a cross in for Benzema who connects and sends the ball towards goal from point blank range, but his effort is denied by Ter Stegen's left leg. Brilliant, reflex stop.
54 min: Chance for Alcacer but his touch is found wanting.
He gets the ball right in front of goal but it escapes from him, meaning he can only toe poke an effort at goal. Navas blocks and clears.
58 min: Big save from Navas this time.
Pique's header from a corner is thunderous but the Costa Rican gets two strong hands behind the effort, palming it away from his post.
65 min: Nice idea, Cristiano. He tries an acrobatic overhead kick after Asensio's cross from the right, but he miscues it.
66 min: Big Ronaldo miss!
Again it's Asesnio, played in by Benzema. Asensio strips his defender, darts into the box and has clear sight of goal but instead squares it.
Ronaldo, after all, is in a much better position, but he somehow scoops the ball over the bar. One big miss each for Messi and Suarez.
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