This time rising from the bench, Franck Kessie was a whole nightmare for Real Madrid on Sunday, as his stoppage time purpose gave Barcelona an exhilarating 2-1 Clasico win, pushing them 12 factors clear on the prime of La Liga.
The victory dents Madrid’s ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans near lifting the trophy for the primary time since 2019.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real took the lead via a Ronald Araujo personal purpose however Barcelona pulled stage when Sergi Roberto tucked house simply earlier than half-time.
Both sides had probabilities to win the sport and Marco Asensio struck for Madrid, however the purpose was dominated offside by VAR, earlier than Alejandro Balde arrange Kessie within the 92nd minute.
“We came from a Marco Asensio goal that we didn’t know was offside and from losing, we scored Franck’s goal, and the truth is it tastes a bit better, winning like that in the last minute,” Sergi Roberto informed Movistar.
“There are a lot of games left and you can never give Madrid up for dead; 12 points is a tricky distance to have to go, but it’s up to us, and that is good.”
The build-up to the match was overshadowed by Barcelona’s corruption cost within the “Caso Negreira” refereeing scandal.
Madrid joined Spanish prosecutors’ grievance towards Barcelona final week and their president Florentino Perez snubbed the sport for the primary time in over 20 years, amid rising tensions between the 2 Spanish giants.
That fed the match’s depth, each on and off the pitch, in Xavi’s sixth Clasico as Barcelona coach however solely his first at Camp Nou.
Xavi requested followers to make the stadium a strain cooker they usually responded, promoting it out, whistling Madrid in possession and conjuring probably the greatest atmospheres of the season.
Madrid didn’t handle a single shot heading in the right direction of their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg defeat by Barcelona earlier in March, however Karim Benzema stung Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s palms inside the primary minute.
Robert Lewandowski responded on the different finish by testing Thibaut Courtois because the veteran marksmen exchanged pictures.
When Barcelona conceded the opening purpose of the sport, it was pleasant hearth. Araujo deflected Vinicius’ cross in on the close to put up, with Ter Stegen helpless.
Araujo, enjoying at right-back to counteract the Brazilian, has loved his duels with Vinicius up to now however this time the winger triumphed, albeit fortuitously. Barcelona supporters turned enraged by his emphatic celebration in entrance of them.
It was the primary purpose from open play Barcelona have conceded at Camp Nou in La Liga all season lengthy, and solely the second strike at house and ninth total.
Comeback cost
Barcelona complained defender Nacho, already booked, ought to have been despatched off for a hand-off on Raphinha.
The hosts didn’t get their want, however had been increase steam and located the breakthrough simply earlier than half-time, from an unlikely supply.
Selected instead of injured midfielder Pedri, Sergi Roberto was in the proper place on the proper time to regulate a free ball within the field and arc it past Courtois.
Barcelona had considerably extra possession than of their cup win over Madrid and considerably extra probabilities.
Lewandowski despatched a deflected piledriver narrowly large as Madrid wobbled, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to roll the cube and produce on Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.
It virtually paid instantaneous dividends as Madrid robbed Sergio Busquets and Rodrygo lashed inches over the bar.
Madrid substitute Asensio fired house what might need been the winner however the purpose was dominated out for offside after a nervy await VAR instruction.
Barcelona appeared content material with the draw however Kessie’s last-gasp strike sparked wild celebrations at Camp Nou.
Asked if Madrid’s hopes of defending the title had been over, Courtois informed Movistar, “Yes, we have to be honest, we will keep fighting until the end but it’s (12 points) now, we have the better head-to-head, but they have to lose four games and we have to win them all. Nothing is impossible but it’s very difficult.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com
