Ronaldo Winner ends La Liga leaders Barcelona’s 39-match unbeaten run
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal gave 10-man Real Madrid victory in El Clasico and ended La Liga leaders Barcelona’s 39-match unbeaten run.
Gerard Pique’s powerful downward header from a corner had given Barca a 56th-minute lead after a tense first half.
Karim Benzema’s brilliant scissor kick made it 1-1, before Gareth Bale had a goal harshly ruled out for a push.
After Real captain Sergio Ramos was dismissed for receiving two bookings, Ronaldo’s superb finish won the game.
Ronaldo’s winner will undoubtedly grab the headlines, particularly as it
has helped third-placed Real salvage some pride from a poor season to
date, but the balance of the side was crucial to the victory.
Under Rafa Benitez, Real were overwhelmed 4-0 by Barcelona at the
Bernabeu in November, but they showed far more steely edge at the Nou
Camp.
Benitez was punished heavily for not picking Casemiro in midfield that
night, an error that his successor Zinedine Zidane avoided repeating in
his first El Clasico as a manager.
Casemiro’s influence in breaking up Barcelona’s attacks – and ensuring
that Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar were frustrated – was crucial.
Real’s front trio of Benzema, Gareth Bale and Ronaldo, nicknamed the BBC, played their part in the win, though.
Benzema recovered from a bad first-half miss to score acrobatically from
Toni Kroos’ deflected cross, while Bale could count himself unfortunate
to have a goal ruled out when he headed in Ronaldo’s chip, with the
officials judging that he had pushed Jordi Alba.
Ronaldo, having had little impact on the match until the closing stages,
grabbed his 42nd goal of the season late on, chesting down Bale’s cross
at the far post before driving a shot between the legs of goalkeeper
Claudio Bravo.
The win Moves Real Madrid to within seven points of Barcelona and keep alive their hope of winning the title.
