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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REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA (18’)
Nice interplay between Pedri and Dembele almost creates space for Messi to burst into the box. But Nacho gets an important touch to take the ball away from him.
REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA (16’)
Barcelona look for an instant response as Messi escapes a couple of players on the left before lifting an inviting cross into the middle. Dembele attacks it but it’s just too high for the Frenchman.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 BARCELONA (BENZEMA 14’)
What a finish! Real Madrid break down the right and Vazquez has space to cross. His low ball is met by Benzema at the near post, and the in-form striker flicks the ball audaciously past Ter Stegen. He continues his exceptional form and puts the hosts in front.
REAL MADRID 0-0 BARCELONA (13’)
Vinicius does well to receive a pass on the edge of the box, turn and send a pass towards Benzema. He’s blocked off by Mingueza, though, and Barcelona come away with the ball.
REAL MADRID 0-0 BARCELONA (11’)
A Real Madrid corner is headed on by Casemiro but doesn’t drop for a white shirt and Barcelona manage to hack clear. It’s been an open start to the game.
REAL MADRID 0-0 BARCELONA (10’)
Messi finds a pocket of space, drifts over to the left and feeds Alba, whose low cross has to be turned away by Courtois. Dest then fires a shot off target from the edge of the box.
REAL MADRID 0-0 BARCELONA (9’)
Neat buildup play from the visitors on the edge of the box but Pedri is crowded out before he can shoot.
REAL MADRID 0-0 BARCELONA (5’)
Ter Stegen has to race off his line to clear a long ball over the top. Moments later, Vinicius is sent scampering down the left but can’t find a teammate with his cross.
REAL MADRID 0-0 BARCELONA (2’)
Plenty of early possession for Barcelona, though a loose ball from Ter Stegen is intercepted by Casemiro, who very nearly feeds Benzema. The Frenchman can’t quite latch onto the pass.
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