Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid: Barca take huge step towards title as Franck Kessie nets late winner in Clasico

Barcelona took another huge step towards the Liga title as Franck Kessie scored a late winner to sink Real Madrid 2-1 in El Clasico.

The visitors, who led early on, had a late goal ruled out for offside by VAR and were stunned when Kessie netted the winner for Barca.

The hosts had a couple of early chances to take the lead, as Raphinha’s bullet header was well saved by Thibaut Courtois, before Sergio Busquets fired over the bar. They were then hit by a suckerpunch at the other end though, when Vinicius Jr broke down the left before seeing his cross hit defender Ronald Araujo, who diverted it into his own goal.

That stunned the home crowd, who had only seen their side concede once in 12 previous league outings at Camp Nou this season. However, Xavi’s side were quick to respond, with Andreas Christensen and Raphinha thwarted by Courtois, before Sergi Roberto fired home the equaliser on the stroke of half-time.

The second half was played at a much slower pace, with chances few and far between as both sides struggled with their final ball.

Robert Lewandowski arguably had the best chance, acrobatically shooting over from close range, before Raphinha had another shot saved.

Carlo Ancelotti threw on a number of attacking substitutions as he looked to find a winner, which he thought he had when Marco Asensio finished from near the penalty spot with less than 10 minutes left. However, the goal was ruled out for offside after a long VAR check.

And to rub salt into the wounds, Kessie lit up Camp Nou with a late, late winner to extend the lead to 12 points.

TALKING POINT – Is that the title race over?

If Real Madrid were to have any hope of defending their La Liga title, they simply had to win this game, but they can kiss goodbye to the trophy after this defeat.

Barca, who looked to be heading for a more than impressive draw, are now 12 points clear at the top of the table and have still only lost once all season.

It would take quite some collapse from Xavi’s outfit to miss out on top spot from here – and Real would pretty much have to win all of their remaining 12 outings.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Sergi Roberto (Barcelona)

The midfielder is often so good and so faultless that you barely notice he’s there, just drifting through games without putting a foot wrong.

His impact was evident on this occasion though, as he got the crucial equaliser just before the break that changed the complexion of the game.

On top of that, he played a pivotal role in midfield, a link between defence and attack, while also breaking up play with regularity. Another impressive display from the Spaniard.

PLAYER RATINGS

BARCELONA: Ter Stegen 7; Araujo 7, Kounde 6, Christensen 7, Balde 7; Roberto 8, Busquets 7, De Jong 5; Raphinha 7, Lewandowski 7, Gavi 6. Subs: Kessie 7, Torres n/a, Fati n/a

REAL MADRID: Courtois 8; Carvajal 6, Militao 7, Rudiger 7, Nacho 6; Modric 7, Camavinga 6, Kroos 6; Valverde 6, Benzema 6, Vinicius junior 8. Subs: Mendy 6, Rodrgyo 6, Ceballos n/a, Asensio n/a, Tchouameni n/a

KEY MOMENTS

9’ GOAL! BARCELONA 0-1 REAL MADRID (Busquets own goal). Real Madrid have the lead! Vinicius works some space down the left and gets into the area. He tries to clip a cross into the box, but it hits Araujo and wrong foots ter Stegen, who has no chance

45’ GOAL! BARCELONA 1-1 REAL MADRID (Sergi Roberto) The hosts are level on the stroke of half-time! Raphinha has a shot blocked inside the area, but it falls nicely for Roberto, who tucks it into the bottom corner, out of reach for Courtois, who dived low to his left but couldn’t lay a glove on it

67’ LEWANDOWSKI SHOOTS OVER. What a goal that would have been! An acrobatic, swivelling volley from the Pole, but he shoots over from a deep cross to the back post after being picked out by Busquets

84’ GOAL RULED OUT! Marco Asensio thinks he’s given the visitors the lead after firing home from inside the area, but he was narrowly offside, with a long VAR check ruling the goal out.

90+2’ GOAL! BARCELONA 2-1 REAL MADRID (Franck Kessie) They’ve done it! Surely that’s the title race over! Franck Kessie, on as a sub, converts from inside the area after being picked out unmarked. He slides home his first goal for the club. What a moment for him. Camp Nou erupts

KEY STATS

• Barcelona have now won four of their last five meetings with Real Madrid
• This was Real Madrid’s fourth defeat of the season – all of them have come away from home