Real Madrid vs Barcelona LIVE: El Clasico result and reaction from La Liga tonight
Tonight’s Clasico sees Real Madrid host Barcelona in a pivotal match in the race for the title with Atletico Madrid still top
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Real Madrid host Barcelona in a tantalising Clasico that will have a major impact on who lifts the title in La Liga this season.
Atletico Madrid are still out in front, but the gap is now one point to Lionel Messi’s side, with Los Blancos just two points further back.
Zinedine Zidane’s side enter the contest on a high after pulling off an emphatic victory over Liverpool to take control of their Champions League quarter-final.
One of the keys to the game will be Messi’s impact after six straight blanks in the Clasico since Cristiano Ronaldo departed for Juventus, but Ronald Koeman is confident the Argentine can snap that streak to inspire the Blaugrana: “I hope that Messi can prove decisive because we need him to play at his best and for Barca to also show its best version. For our attack, our passing game, and to create scoring chances, we need Leo.”
While Karim Benzema, who has 18 La Liga goals, five less than Messi (23), believes Real’s pressing will be key to the game’s outcome: “When we press, we have to go all out. And when we have the ball, we have to develop good possessions, because they don’t like chasing the ball.”
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UNBEATEN RUN ENDS
Defeat tonight spells the end of Barcelona’s 19-game unbeaten run in La Liga. Their previous loss came back in December at Cadiz, and there’s been undeniable progress under Koeman in recent months. Their season isn’t over just yet.
ATLETI STILL TO PLAY
Atletico are in action tomorrow night, away at Real Betis. They could go three points clear again at the top with a win, but the once runaway leaders have seen their lead clawed back by the two chasing giants. Real Madrid could well be considered favourites now, though they’re the only team in the title race still with Champions League commitments.
In the end, first-half goals from Benzema and Kroos are enough for Los Blancos, despite a commendable effort from Barcelona in torrid conditions after the break. Mingueza got one back for the visitors but it wasn’t enough.
Real Madrid are now top of La Liga, level on points with Atletico but better off in terms of head-to-head. Barcelona are back in third, but only a point behind. It should make for a fascinating end to the season in Spain.
FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA
And that’s that. A late punt forward very nearly led to a Barcelona goal. Moriba struck the bar with an acrobatic half-volley, before a hopeful shot from Alba brushed the roof of the net on its way over. Ter Stegen was involved, too, seeing a shot blocked. It’s a chaotic end to the game, but Real Madrid hold on to secure a potentially crucial Clasico win.
REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (90+4’)
Off the bar! So unlucky for Moriba!
REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (90+4’)
Braithwaite gets his head to an Alba cross but heads wide. Barcelona have seconds to create something.
REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (90+3’)
Marcelo suddenly finds himself bearing down on goal after a lapse in concentration at the back from Barcelona. But Mingueza gets back just in time to dispossess him.
REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (90+2’)
Moriba is picked out in space on the left but hits a poor shot over the bar and looks away in anguish.
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