MADRID, May 7, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – FC Barcelona and Real Madrid drew 2-2 in
‘El Clasico’ in the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday night as the hosts held on for
45 minutes with 10 men in a hard-fought game between Spain’s two traditional
rivals.
Although Barcelona were unable to win the match, they maintain their
unbeaten record for the season in what was Andres Iniesta’s last game against
Real Madrid. Both sides fielded their strongest available sides with Rafael
Varene able to start for Real Madrid. Barcelona took the lead after a subdued
start in the 10th minute as Luis Suarez scored following a pass from Sergi
Roberto.
The La Liga champions’ lead didn’t last for long as Cristiano Ronaldo
equalized in the 15th minute with a close range effort following good work
from Tony Kroos and Karim Benzema.
After several feisty challenges in the last minutes of the first half, the
hosts were reduced to 10 men as Sergi Roberto was shown a straight red card
following an incident with Madrid left back Marcelo.
The Catalans produced some of their best football of the game at the start
of the second half and took the lead as Lionel Messi finished after great
work from Luis Suarez seven minutes after the break.
Suarez then saw a goal disallowed after a marginal offside decision, before
Andres Iniesta was substituted in his final ‘Clasico’. The Barcelona veteran
received a standing ovation in an emotional moment for the fans in the Camp
Nou.
Barcelona had to play deeper and Bale, who was perhaps lucky not to have
been sent off after several bad challenges, equalized after fine work from
Marco Asensio. It was mainly Madrid until the final whistle, but Barcelona
held on with few problems to continue their unbeaten run and cement their
domestic dominance.