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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Your support makes all the difference.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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GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-1 BARCELONA (MINGUEZA 60’)
Barcelona pull a goal back! This isn’t over yet. Alba races down the left and whips a cross into the box. Griezmann dummies and Mingueza, an unlikely scorer, prods home awkwardly but efficiently.
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (59’)
It’s actually becoming quite difficult to distinguish the players, such is the ferocity of the rain. Modric looks like a wet spaniel.
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (57’)
Griezmann was actually offside, so his miss is not costly in the end. Real Madrid threaten again at the other end, first as Valverde almost picks out Benzema with a low cross and then when the latter sends a shot over the bar.
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (55’)
Chance! Pedri slides a superb through ball into the path of Griezmann at the back post, but he can only guide his finish wide from a few yards out.
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (53’)
The awful conditions won’t stop Barcelona passing patiently and trying to intricately work their way through this disciplined Real Madrid defence. At the moment, though, the hosts counter-attacking style is proving far more efficacious. They break again, and Benzema’s cut back is met by Kroos, who hits a first-time shot over the bar.
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (50’)
Real Madrid deal with a couple of Barcelona corners as the rain really starts to hammer down. It looks extremely windy, too. Hardy ideal conditions for football.
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (48’)
Nacho has to be alert to cut out a cross from Pedri with Messi lurking. At the other end, Benzema is set away down the right and finds Vinicius, who can’t quite find room to shoot in the box.
REAL MADRID 2-0 BARCELONA (47’)
The effervescent Vinicius sprints down the left flank, but somewhat disappointingly opts to cut back. Real Madrid opt for a spell of possession instead of another lightning fast break.
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