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Ivan Rakitic
26'
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Barcelona recorded their second away Clasico win in the space of four days this evening by beating Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ivan Rakitic got the only goal of the game as Ernesto Valverde's side edged to more Clasico joy at the home of their greatest rivals, having won 3-0 at the same ground in midweek.
The result sees Barca move 10 points clear at the top of La Liga and 12 above Real Madrid, whose title hopes now look to be effectively over once and for all.
Find out how all of the action unfolded courtesy of our minute-by-minute updates below.
9.45pmRight, that is all we have time for this evening!
Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, with the visitors once again claiming the bragging rights and more at the Bernabeu. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too.
From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, with the visitors once again claiming the bragging rights and more at the Bernabeu. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too.
From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
9.43pmIt is more Clasico joy for Barcelona and more Clasico misery for Madrid as the Catalans record their second victory at the home of their greatest rivals in the space of just four days!
This time there was only one goal to separate the two sides - from Ivan Rakitic in the first half - but that is enough to send Barca 10 points clear at the top of La Liga and 12 above Real Madrid, essentially eliminating Los Blancos from the title race once and for all.
This time there was only one goal to separate the two sides - from Ivan Rakitic in the first half - but that is enough to send Barca 10 points clear at the top of La Liga and 12 above Real Madrid, essentially eliminating Los Blancos from the title race once and for all.
90+5 minREAL MADRID 0-1 BARCELONA
90+3 minMessi almost provides a perfect finale for Barcelona with a curling effort from the edge of the box which flies inches wide of the target!
90+2 minBARCELONA SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Nelson Semedo replaces Busquets.
90+1 minLate chance for Varane as he finds himself unmarked inside the area, but his header is too close to the keeper.
90 minThere will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match!
89 minCarvajal is the latest name in the book for a late challenge on Lenglet.
87 minBenzema works space for himself to shoot and lets fly from range with a powerful strike, but Ter Stegen makes it look easy to collect.
85 minJust five minutes remaining in this Clasico now - five minutes for Madrid to avoid the ignominy of another home defeat and keep their title hopes of life support.
83 minAlmost suicidal play from Pique as he dribbles the ball across his own six-yard box and right across his own area before eventually giving away a corner when being hounded by two Madrid players!
82 minAsensio goes into the book for a challenge on Busquets, although this is a harsh one as he got the ball first.
81 minThe Barcelona players - unsurprisingly - are not shy when it comes to taking a chance to clatter in to Ramos. Ter Stegen is the latest to do so with a punch clear that also sees him wipe out the Madrid captain.
79 minBARCELONA SUB: Another change for Barcelona as Philippe Coutinho replaces Dembele.
77 minNice link-up play between Isco and Asensio down the left channel and Madrid begin to knock on the door, but Barcelona deal with the danger before Asensio sees a soft penalty shout emphatically turned down by the referee.
75 minREAL MADRID SUB: The fans have been chanting for Isco, and they get their wish here as he replaces Casemiro.
73 minCasemiro is the latest to try his luck from range, but his strike is also rising and ends up in a similar section of the stands as Vinicius's moments ago.
72 minBetter from Madrid as they respond with a period of their own pressure. Valverde feeds the ball into the path of Vinicius, who is afforded the space to shoot but can only blaze his rising effort over the crossbar.
71 minBARCELONA SUB: Change for the visitors here as Arturo Vidal replaces Arthur.
70 minThe growing pressure almost results in a goal as Messi slides a pass through for Dembele, who just drags his effort wide of the far post with a low effort across the face of goal.
69 minBarcelona are the team applying the pressure right now and Messi picks out Suarez in the box with one cross before moments later flashing a low pass across the six-yard box, neither of which come to anything for the visitors.
67 minRamos shows a surprising turn of pace to sprint back and get a crucial challenge in on Dembele, who looked to have the advantage in a footrace with the Madrid captain.
65 minJust 25 minutes remaining in this one now and it remains on a knife edge with just one goal in it. There haven't been too many clear chances in this second half so far, but that will suit Barcelona just fine.
63 minLenglet is the latest name in the book, this time for a challenge on Ramos as he catches him with his forearm - perhaps a token of revenge on the Madrid skipper for that elbow on Messi.
62 minREAL MADRID SUB: Whistles greet Bale as he departs to be replaced by Marco Asensio.
61 minMessi skips away from Casemiro and Ramos, but the latter steps across and picks up a customary card for his challenge.
59 minBarcelona almost shoot themselves in the foot as Rakitic has his clearance charge down inside his own area, and the ball then bounces off Pique to the feet of Vinicius. Pique throws his body in the way, but Vinicius bides his time before shooting and it is eventually Lenglet who makes a crucial block.
58 minBarcelona are knocking on the door now! Once again this space comes down the left flank as Alba advances before playing a low ball into the middle which takes a touch off Carvajal that sends it narrowly wide of the far post.
57 minAt the other end Messi feeds the ball out wide for Dembele, who fires a low strike towards goal which is too close to Courtois. Comfortable save for the Belgian.
56 minVinicius picks the ball up and moves onto his right foot inside the area before getting a shot away. Ter Stegen is there to save it, but he only bats it away in a rather unorthodox stop and is fortunate that it falls to a Barcelona defender.
55 minREAL MADRID SUB: Change for Madrid here as Kroos is replaced by Fede Valverde.
54 minHere is that flash point between Ramos and Messi at the end of the first half, and I don't think anyone is in any doubt that the Madrid skipper knew exactly what he was doing!
| 😡 |
Tempers flare just before half-time...
Will Ramos regret angering Messi? 👀
Barcelona lead Real Madrid 1-0 at the break!#ElClasico pic.twitter.com/Fp5OVzVAFF— Eleven Sports (@ElevenSports_UK) March 2, 2019
52 minCarvajal intercepts a pass from Pique, but in doing so only sends Suarez clean through on goal. The Uruguayan only has Courtois to beat, but he takes too long to make his decision and a mixture of Courtois and Varane eventually crowd him out. Suarez is still able to keep the ball alive and look for Messi, but Ramos reads it and makes the interception.
51 minThere is some concern for Barcelona here as Messi appears to be struggling with a tight groin. He has been stretching it so far in this second half but they will not want to take any risks with him, even in a Clasico.
49 minBenzema's blushes are spared by the offside flag here! The French striker misses a sitter at the back post, putting his volley wide from point-blank range, but it would not have counted anyway as the flag was up.
48 minThe hosts have started this half on the front foot! They are pushing for the equaliser in the opening exchanges of this second half!
46 minReal Madrid get us back underway for the second half at the Bernabeu!
8.46pmThere have been other chances at either end of the field, but a particularly interesting talking point came right at the end of the first half when Ramos appeared to catch Messi in the nose with a forearm - and you'd have to assume that the Madrid skipper knew exactly what he was doing.
Messi was fuming when he came off at the interval, and he will be looking to exact some footballing revenge in the coming 45 minutes now.
Messi was fuming when he came off at the interval, and he will be looking to exact some footballing revenge in the coming 45 minutes now.
8.44pmThe only goal of the game so far came from Ivan Rakitic in the 26th minute as he produced an exquisite finish to beat Courtois and give Barcelona the lead.
Sergi Roberto slid the ball into the path of the Croatia international, who got the wrong side of Ramos before dinking the ball over the Madrid keeper - a finish we are more used to seeing from the likes of Messi or Suarez.
Sergi Roberto slid the ball into the path of the Croatia international, who got the wrong side of Ramos before dinking the ball over the Madrid keeper - a finish we are more used to seeing from the likes of Messi or Suarez.
8.42pmIt is advantage Barcelona at the halfway stage of the Clasico, then, as they go into the break with a 1-0 lead at the Bernabeu, where they are on course to win for the second time in the space of four days.
Madrid had chances and will still feel that they can turn this one around, but Barcelona have also looked dangerous at times and know that they are now 45 minutes away from inflicting yet more misery on their fiercest rivals.
Madrid had chances and will still feel that they can turn this one around, but Barcelona have also looked dangerous at times and know that they are now 45 minutes away from inflicting yet more misery on their fiercest rivals.
45+1 minREAL MADRID 0-1 BARCELONA
45+1 minRamos is naughty here! The Madrid captain chips the ball past him as he catches him with a forearm smash into the nose. The pair square up after Messi gets up, and the Argentine is fuming.
45 minModric tries to get that goal on the stroke of half time as he attacks the ball really well inside the area, meeting Carvajal's headed cross with a header of his own which goes over the crossbar.
44 minBarcelona have enjoyed 54% possession in this first half, so there isn't a great deal in it in that sense. It remains on a knife edge and the next goal could be crucial.
42 minWell, I'm not one to doubt the great Leo Messi, but maybe he should have listened to me there! The maestro goes for goal from the free kick, but fires it high and wide of the target.
41 minAnother free kick to Barcelona in a dangerous position as Ramos trips Messi. This may be better for a cross than a shot, though...
39 minChance for Barcelona to double their advantage as Suarez spins into shooting room before drilling an effort towards the bottom corner. Courtois can only parry the ball back into a dangerous area and Messi is there to slide in on the follow-up, but he cannot get the power on his effort to beat the Madrid keeper.
39 minHere is the goal which separates the two sides at the moment, featuring a delightful finish from Rakitic...
| GOAL! |
Ivan Rakitic opens the scoring with a beautiful finish at the Bernabeu!
Barcelona lead Real Madrid once again 😳#ElClasico pic.twitter.com/CJEYr4qEbL— Eleven Sports (@ElevenSports_UK) March 2, 2019
37 minMessi does indeed go for goal and it isn't a terrible effort, but it just dips a little too late and lands on the roof of the net. A sigh of relief goes around the Bernabeu.
36 minSuarez wants a penalty against Carvajal which is quickly waved away, but the referee then gives Barca a very strange free kick after Rakitic was caught. This is within shooting range for Messi!
34 minRakitic works himself a yard before trying to thread an incisive pass through for Messi, but the ball is just too far in front of the Argentine. Nice idea, though.
32 minA Madrid corner is only cleared as far as Reguilon, who lets fly with a low strike from range. Ter Stegen looks unconcerned, but it only misses the target by a yard or two.
30 minWe're half an hour into this one now and Real Madrid have not let their heads drop after that opening goal. They have shown enough to suggest that they can get back into this one, but the next goal is crucial.
28 minMadrid may be suffering a case of deja-vu right now. Once again they were very much holding their own in this one, but then they are hit by a moment of quality.
26 minFirst blood to Barcelona in the Clasico! It all seems far too easy for the visitors as Roberto slides the ball through for Rakitic, who finds himself the wrong side of Ramos and with only Courtois to beat. There is still work to be done, but Rakitic produces a deft dinked finish over the keeper to put Barcelona ahead at the Bernabeu!
26 minREAL MADRID 0-1 BARCELONA (IVAN RAKITIC)
25 minA Barcelona corner is only half cleared by Real Madrid and the ball drops to Suarez at the back post, but he tries to cushion a volley back into the middle and only succeeds in putting it straight behind for a goal kick.
23 minMadrid burst into life as Vinicius skips away from Pique on the left flank before reaching the byline and cutting the ball back. It eventually ends up at the feet of Modric, who bides his time before shooting. However, Pique has done really well to get back there and he slides in to intercept the ball before it can trouble Ter Stegen.
21 minNot much to choose between the two sides as we approach the quarter-way mark in this Clasico. Both sides have had a sight of goal but it is yet to really catch fire, despite the high tempo.
19 minThe first chance for Barcelona and Messi, who exchanges passes with Suarez and does really well to hold off a defender inside the box. He tries to lift his finish over Courtois, but it is not on target and Madrid survive Messi's first real moment of promise.
17 minIt has been a high-octane opening to this Clasico, and Madrid in particular are playing with noticeable intensity. Wednesday's Clasico was not as one-sided as the 3-0 scoreline suggested, but Madrid are determined not to be on the end of a similar result again tonight.
15 minBrilliant save from Courtois! The flag is up so it wouldn't have counted anyway, but Suarez fired a fine half-volley towards the bottom corner and Courtois got down really well to make the save.
14 minQuick counter-attack from Barcelona as Messi release Dembele down the left flank, but the winger's cross is cleared behind by the first man.
13 minCross it he does and, while Barca initially clear the danger, the ball eventually falls to Kroos and his deflected effort is collected by Ter Stegen.
12 minAnother free kick for Real Madrid in a dangerous position here as this time Vinicius is tripped. It is within shooting range, but Kroos is over it and may favour a cross...
11 minRakitic goes down inside the area and looks around at the referee, but he is in no doubt and tells the midfielder to get up.
10 minBenzema bursts forward down the middle here and manages to get his shot away, but he drags his effort comfortably wide of the target.
9 minThe Real Madrid front three have been very fluid in these opening exchanges, constantly changing positions with Benzema spending time one both wings as well as through the middle.
7 minBarcelona are beginning to grow into the game now after a bright start from Madrid. Plenty of noise and intensity in the opening stages of this one, as you would expect.
5 minThe first hint of a chance for Barcelona as they win the ball back inside the Real Madrid half. Messi plays it through for Suarez, but there is just too much on it and Varane puts it behind for a corner.
3 minBale takes on the free kick, but he fires it over the crossbar and it never looked like troubling Ter Stegen.
2 minJust 90 seconds into the match and we have our first yellow card as Busquets trips Kroos just outside the area. Free kick in a very good position...
1 minHere we go! The Clasico is underway at the Bernabeu as Suarez kicks us off!
7.44pmBARCELONA STARTING XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Arthur; Messi, Suarez, Dembele
SUBS: Alena, Coutinho, Malcom, Semedo, Cillessen, Umtiti, Vidal
SUBS: Alena, Coutinho, Malcom, Semedo, Cillessen, Umtiti, Vidal
7.42pmREAL MADRID STARTING XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Reguilon; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Vinicius
SUBS: Isco, Asensio, Valverde, Ceballos, Navas, Marcelo, Vazquez
SUBS: Isco, Asensio, Valverde, Ceballos, Navas, Marcelo, Vazquez
7.40pmGood evening! The Clasicos just keep on coming as we complete the trilogy in the space of a month tonight, with Real Madrid hosting Barcelona at the Bernabeu!
It is the second Clasico in the space of four days and Madrid will be out for revenge having been soundly beaten 3-0 on Wednesday night as Barca booked their place in a sixth straight Copa del Rey final. Attention now turns to the league, and Barca can strike another costly blow to their bitter rivals tonight by moving 12 points clear of their hosts with a win.
Let's have a quick look at the team news before kickoff...
It is the second Clasico in the space of four days and Madrid will be out for revenge having been soundly beaten 3-0 on Wednesday night as Barca booked their place in a sixth straight Copa del Rey final. Attention now turns to the league, and Barca can strike another costly blow to their bitter rivals tonight by moving 12 points clear of their hosts with a win.
Let's have a quick look at the team news before kickoff...
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