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

(AFP)

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.”

Read more:

• Real Madrid vs Barcelona live stream: How to watch El Clasico online and on TV tonight
• Imperious Toni Kroos outclasses Liverpool in game of yards, rather than inches
• Beware Real Madrid in the Champions League

Real Madrid vs Barcelona

• El Clasico scheduled to kick off at 20:00 BST

[10 April 2021 21:49 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (90+1’)

Messi hits the target with his free kick this time, but Courtois is able to step across and make a comfortable save.

There’ll be four added minutes.

[10 April 2021 21:48 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (90’)

Red card! Casemiro, moments after his first booking, goes in late on Mingueza and gets a second yellow card. A moment of recklessness from the Brazilian and he’s sent off. Barcelona will have a free kick in a good position and will play injury time with an extra man.

[10 April 2021 21:47 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (89’)

Casemiro is booked for a rugby tackle on Messi.

[10 April 2021 21:46 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (88’)

All the stoppages and that minute or so spent hounding the referee haven’t really helped Barcelona, who are struggling to build momentum now. Time is running out.

[10 April 2021 21:43 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (85’)

Alba has been booked for protesting too aggressively. As has Koeman, who clearly had too much to say on the touchline.

[10 April 2021 21:42 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (84’)

Barcelona want a penalty. They appeal voraciously but the referee ignores the shouts. Alba is played through into the box and tries to slide his finish past Courtois. The goalkeeper gets enough on it, but the ball runs through to Braithwaite, who goes down under a challenge from Mendy. It would have been soft.

[10 April 2021 21:40 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (82’)

Isco fires a shot over the bar from the edge of the box. Zidane, soaked through on the touchline, applauds.

[10 April 2021 21:39 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (81’)

Braithwaite and Trincao replace Dembele and Pedri.

[10 April 2021 21:38 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (80’)

There’s a pause in play as the referee has some wires reattached. We’re good to go again.

[10 April 2021 21:35 · Callum Rice-Coates]

REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (76’)

Ter Stegen has to be alert to tip an Odriozola cross over the bar. From the corner, the ball drops to Marcelo on the edge of the box and he skews a shot off target.