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As it happenedended

Barcelona beat Real Madrid to take step closer to La Liga title

Re-live the action from the Clasico in Madrid

Jack Watson
Saturday 02 March 2019 14:19 GMT
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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde discusses Lionel Messi involvement in Real Madrid clash

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Ivan Rakitic's fine first-half goal proved enough to give Barcelona a hard-earned 1-0 win over rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu as the LaLiga leaders continued their El Clasico dominance.

Barcelona had completed a 3-0 victory in the Copa del Rey semi-finals on Wednesday night and never looked like being stretched after Rakitic's clever chip broke the deadlock after 26 minutes.

Tempers almost boiled over at half-time when Lionel Messi looked to have been caught by a stray arm from Los Blancos captain Sergio Ramos.

There were, though, few clear-cut chances for Real, who are now winless in their last six league games against their rivals.

Barcelona are now 12 points clear of Los Blancos and 10 ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who host Leganes on Sunday. Re-live the action below:

What time does it start?

Real Madrid vs Barcelona kicks off at 7:45pm (GMT) on Saturday 2nd March.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Premier Sports 1, with coverage starting from 7:15pm (GMT).

The match will also be streamed on Eleven Sports 1, with highlights uploaded to the Eleven Sports website after the game.

Predicted line-ups

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Reguilon, Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Vazquez, Vinicius Jr. Benzema

Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Busquets, Vidal, Rakitic, Dembele, Messi, Suarez

Form guide…

Real Madrid: DWWLWL

Barcelona: DDWDWW

Head-to-head…

Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 3 (Suarez 2, Varane OG), Copa del Rey, February 2019

Barcelona 1 (Malcom) Real Madrid 1 (Vazquez), Copa del Rey, February 2019

Barcelona 5 (Coutinho, Suarez 3, Vidal) Real Madrid 1 (Marcelo), La Liga, October 2018

Barcelona 2 (Suarez, Messi) Real Madrid 2 (Ronaldo, Bale), La Liga, May 2018

Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 3 (Suarez, Messi, Vidal), La Liga, December 2017

Odds…

Real Madrid to win: 17/10

Barcelona to win: 7/5

Draw: 13/5

Prediction…

Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona

59: So close!

Utter madness from Rakatic to try and play a short pass in the penalty area and Vinicius gets the ball. He works it onto his right foot and sees an effort deflected off Lenglet and go for a corner. Chaos at the back. 

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:02

60: The Lionel Messi vs Sergio Ramos battle is still going on.

Messi advances through the gears and is clattered by Ramos, ​who picks up his customary yellow card.

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:03

61: Boos as Bale's name comes up, he's replaced by Asensio. The home fans make their opinion on him perfectly clear.

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:03

63: Lenglet is next into the referee's book for an aggressive jump in the direction of Ramos.

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:05

68: Great tackle from Roberto to prevent Vinicius getting beyond him. The cost is a corner, but Barcelona clear well and get themselves on the break.

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:10

69: Suarez and Messi combine on the edge of the box to get the latter into a dangerous area, but Messi's low cross is wasted by nobody being there to profit from it at the back post.

The home fans are growing impatient at the long spells of possession Barcelona are beginning to enjoy.

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:12

70: Just wide!

Messi sets Dembele away after a long period of casual passing and he flashes a low effort wide. They're getting close to a second here.

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:12

71: Vidal is on for Arthur.

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:13

72: There's no sign that Vinicius is lacking any confidence as he sends another effort over the bar from range. The Real Madrid supporters applaud his effort, can he have a hand in getting them back into this game and the title race?

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:14

75: Real Madrid have one change left and there are chants of 'Isco' ringing around the ground. What a script that'd be if he came on and scored!

Jack Watson2 March 2019 21:17

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