Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 1: Late drama as Sergio Ramos rescues a point for Madrid in El Clasico after Luis Suarez had put the hosts ahead
Luis Suarez's 53rd minute goal was cancelled out by the Madrid centre-half's late equaliser to quieten the Nou Camp
WHAT a finale! Sergio Ramos 90th-minute leveller for Real Madrid left Barcelona in shock.
Luis Suarez seemed certain to give Barca the priceless Clasico win they needed but NO.
Ramos headed Luka Modric’s free-kick home to sink Barca and keep them six points behind leaders Madrid.
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It was an amazing twist in a derby that swung like a pendulum with Real better in the first half and Barca after the restart.
Though Suarez nodded Neymar’s free-kick home after 53 minutes it was sub Andres Iniesta that stole the show after he came on 60 minutes into this.
Only thanks to Iniesta Barca finally grabbed control of this supermatch.
You’d think today of all days Ronaldo would leave out the diamond earrings. But no.
All the cameras were on Ronaldo, but this time for all the wrong reasons.
And Ronaldo, normally desperate to be the centre of attention, did not revel in it.
The story of Ronaldo’s alleged tax-evasion to the tune of £135m in hidden income dominated yesterday’s build up.
Fans around Spain have been singing anti- Messi chants for years since the story of his tax evasion emerged. Messi’s crime over £3.5m and he paid over £8m in back-taxes and fines.
Messi also received a 21-month suspended prison sentence.
So what of Ron? Authorities in Spain are still investigating. Regardless, of his state of mind before kick-off he seemed fully-focused during the match.
In 26 Clasicos between Ronaldo and Messi, the Real superstar has netted 16 goals, one more than Messi.
But Barcelona won 12 times to Madrid’s seven.
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Incredibly, Messi has not scored in SIX Clasicos now. The last time was a hat-trick in the 3-4 win at the Bernabeu 32 months ago. And he wasted a sitter late on to seal it for Barca.
Amazingly Ron has scored 10 of his goals at the Nou Camp and Messi also 10 of his goals at the Bernabeu.
Both of them thrive in the hatred pouring from the stands. So Ronaldo was never going to be affected by the vitriolic abuse pouring down from the stands.
Ron had scored in eight of his last nine visits here.
This was deemed a “high risk” match by the Catalan authorities and 4,000 police officers were deployed in the streets.
Neymar walked into the stadium with a Chapecoense shirt draped over his shoulder in a silent tribute to the tragic Brazilian team that perished in a plane crash in Colombia in midweek.
And both teams united before kick-off for a truly emotional minute of silence in front of a hoarding that read “Strength Chapecoense”.
Predictably there was a banner about Catalan independence. Only this time it was “Welcome to the Catalan Republic” instead of the usual “Catalonia is not Spain”.
And off we went as 98,000 Barca fans created a deafening ambience.
Barca needed this win far more than Madrid. But the chances went to the visitors.
Enrique left Iniesta, back after seven weeks out with a knee injury, on the bench against expectations.
And Barcelona were bereft of inspiration.
Lucas Vazquez seemed to be brought down by Javier Mascherano in the box. But ref Carlos Clos Gomez waved it off. TV replays showed Mascherano did get the ball with the outside of his left foot.
Barca’s best chance came early on. But Sergi Roberto failed to make good contact from six yards out and it went for a corner off Sergio Ramos.
Ronaldo’s lame header that barely reached Marc Andre Ter Stegen was met with huge boos.
Neymar got to Busquets’50-yarder and squared to Suarez but his first-time shot was blocked by Varane who’d managed to get back just in time.
Madrid were effective on the ball, but not clinical. Ronaldo latched on to Neymar’s stray pass after 36 minutes and ran 70 yards before pulling the trigger but Ter Stegen blocked.
Shortly after Ron flew past Pique and Mascherano but his snapshot went straight at Ter Stegen.
Pique nearly turned Benzema’s low cross into his own net but it was inches wide. From Isco’s ensuring corner Raphael Varane looked certain to score but Ter Stegen saved his header.
Barca fans did not just abuse him for the tax issue (“Cristiano pay up”) but a homophobic chant was also heard (“Cristiano come out the closet”) that is certain to lead to a fine for the Catalan club.
Then they emerged after the restart there was an eerie silence, unusual for a Clasico and a clear sign Barca fans feared the worst.
It was only when Iniesta got up to begin his warm up that the stadium erupted. They wanted him on the pitch. Desperately seeking inspiration.
When Suarez put them in front after 53 minutes it seemed Barca would go on and win.
Neymar swung in a free-kick and Suarez got in ahead of Varane to nod home.
Fears that this would be the first goalless Clasico in the last 40 stretching back to 2002 were extinguished.
Suarez then played the get and give with Messi, got in the box and nicked from Navas but it went wide.
The colossal ovation that met Iniesta’s introduction right on the hour was one of the evening’s highlights.
With their legendary midfielder on the pitch the look of the game changed instantly.
Madrid retreated at the mere sight of him. Iniesta gave Barca the purpose, poise and pizzazz they had lacked.
Zidane brought on Casemiro to try and get the ball off Iniesta.
But midway through the second half Neymar wasted a complete sitter. Iniesta slotted him though and the Brazil ace slipped past Cavajal only to fire over from seven yards out.
It would have been curtains. Moments later Iniesta’s shot was diverted into the side-netting by Carvajal. Barca were now the dominant team.
And it was an avalanche of chances they wasted as Neymar played the one-two with Messi and was clear on goal but was blocked at the last minute by Sergio Ramos.
Messi’s moment came on 81 minutes and again Iniesta was the provider but the great Argentine fired inches wide.
And Barca paid a massive price as Ramos’ winner has given Madrid’s title chances a huge boost.
Big picture
Teams
Barcelona: ter Stegen, Sergi, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba, Rakitic (Iniesta 60), Busquets, André Gomes (Turan, 77), Messi, Suárez, Neymar (D Suarez, 87).
Subs (not used): Cillessen, Alcácer García, Digne, Umtiti
Booked: Neymar, Suarez.
Goals: L Suarez (53)
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Modric, Kovacic (Díaz Mejía, 84), Vázquez, Isco (Casemiro, 66), Ronaldo, Benzema (Asensio, 76).
Subs (not used): Pepe, Nacho, Rodríguez, Casilla, Díaz Mejía.
Booked: Isco, Carvajal
Goals: Ramos (90)
What they said
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez: "I think we were the better side and we did everything possible. Now we have to be strong and keep on."