Barcelona’s amazing 2-1 El Clasico victory over Real Madrid at Camp Nou has strengthened their hold on the La Liga championship.
With a first championship for La Blaugrana since 2019 on the horizon, Xavi’s team has already jumped out to a 12-point lead at the top of the standings after Carlo Ancelotti’s defending champions were unable to hold on in Catalonia.
Real Madrid took an early edge thanks to a weird own goal by Ronald Araujo, but the hosts responded before halftime thanks to veteran midfielder Sergio Roberto’s goal.
After the break, both teams battled hard for a winner, with Los Blancos trying to maintain their title aspirations, before substitute Franck Kessie popped up to score his first-ever goal for Barcelona in extra time to seal the victory.
🇩🇰 Andreas Christensen – FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid – LaLiga Week 26 pic.twitter.com/bb0CEcOprI
— ⚽️ (@BarcelonaComps) March 19, 2023
Experienced Real Madrid players fall short in the title race.
In their crucial El Clasico journey to Barcelona, Ancelotti decided to stick with his seasoned stars, keeping Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric out of the Champions League victory over Liverpool.
Although the trio has consistently been able to deliver on the biggest stage, especially in Europe, they had trouble making an impression in Catalonia.
In the engine room, the hard-working Roberto and the Dutch star Frenkie de Jong did a better job than Modric and Kroos, so Ancelotti replaced both of them.
Barcelona bench went crazy after Kessie scored that winner vs Real Madrid.
🔥🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/CF4ylum02B
— Semper Fí 🐐🇦🇷 (@SemperFiMessi) March 19, 2023
With Benzema rumored to extend his own contract, the future of the duo will be decided this summer, and it will be tested whether they can deliver outstanding performances in back-to-back games.
Both players might be essential to Real Madrid’s Champions League run, so Ancelotti is probably going to scale back their La Liga involvement to keep them fresh.
Barca’s “forgotten men” steal the show at El Clasico
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Araujo, Pedri, and Robert Lewandowski all did great things for Barcelona in 2022–23.
But in front of a crazy home crowd, two players on the outside of the team made sure they won another close game against their oldest rival.
Kessie is rumored to be leaving the Spanish giants early, so Roberto is a rotating squad option for Xavi despite signing a contract extension last month.
Xavi: “I don’t know what to say about Sergi Roberto anymore. In another team, he’d be one of the most valued players, but here he’s heavily criticized.” pic.twitter.com/hAblQLkNJE
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 19, 2023
That could not have been further from the truth on the night, as Roberto rolled back the years in midfield to trouble Real Madrid’s all-star cast and provide a key equalizer before the interval.
Kessie has had trouble since he joined from AC Milan in the summer, as shown by the fact that he hasn’t scored any goals and hasn’t played much. However, Xavi knows that Kessie wants to seize the moment and score a goal that could win the title.
The younger generation represents Barcelona’s future, but just like Real Madrid, there’s always room for experience on major occasions.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid final score
| 1H | 2H | Score | |
| Barcelona | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Real Madrid | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Araujo (O.G.) — 8th Min — RMA
Roberto — 44th Min — BAR
Kessie — 90+2 Min — BAR
Confirmed lineups:
Barcelona (4-4-2, right to left): 1. ter Stegen (GK) — 23. Kounde, 4. Araujo, 15. Christensen, 28. Balde — 21. de Jong, 5. Busquets, 19. Kessie, 6. Gavi — 22. Raphinha, 9. Lewandowski.
Real Madrid (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Courtois (GK) — 2. Carvajal, 3. Militao, 22. Rudiger, 6. Nacho — 10. Modric, 12. Camavinga, 8. Kroos — 15. Valverde, 9. Benzema, 20. Vinicius
El Clasico title matchup between Barcelona and Real Madrid as it actually transpired
FULL TIME: REAL MADRID 1, BARCELONA 2.
Amazing play from Barcelona to snatch a title-sealing victory against their fiercest rivals at home in spectacular fashion at Camp Nou!
🚨✅ OFFICIAL: FC Barcelona win 2-1 vs Real Madrid and go TWELVE points clear at the top of the league table! 🔥🔝 pic.twitter.com/L83heA0t9z
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) March 19, 2023
The game appeared to be headed for a 1-1 draw, but substitute Kessie saved the day by vaulting Xavi’s team 12 points ahead of Los Blancos!
90+2 mins: Oh my goodness, Barcelona has triumphed!
Balde was given the opportunity to get past his opponent thanks to Lewandowski’s backheel, and the young defender maintained his composure to find Kessie and score his first goal for Barcelona!
FT: Real Madrid vs Barcelona
1 – 2 pic.twitter.com/XwmUtWDewR
— 🏴 EPLTV60 ⚽️ (@EPLTV60) March 19, 2023
BARCA ARE AHEAD BY 12 POINTS!
90 minutes: Alejandro Balde receives a booking after tripling Asensio. A couple more seconds are lost.
Real Madrid is now attacking Barca with all of their resources, but the hosts are able to clear after Vinicius Jr. and Benzema are stopped by some strong blocks.
85 mins: GOALLLLLLLLLL………..NO!!!
The replacements suddenly come to life as Asensio buries Carvajal’s cross and Rodrygo feeds him!
Asensio’s go-ahead goal for Real Madrid was ruled offisdes. pic.twitter.com/QRN0OysZuq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 19, 2023
80 minutes : Barcelona loses control, and Benzema shoots for the goal, but Ter Stegen stops him!
75 minutes: Another halt as both teams make last-minute adjustments. Real Madrid has Dani Ceballos, Marco Asensio, and Aurelien Tchouemani on the field.
Scorer Roberto is replaced by Franck Kessie for Barcelona.
Raphinha’s pressure on Courtois in the 73rd minute pushes Barcelona to score, but Real Madrid is the KING of comebacks, and Ancelotti’s team only has one opportunity!
68 minutes: Roberto used cynical tactics to knock Modric to the ground and receive a warning. After Sergio Busquets catches a loose ball, Lewandowski attempts the extraordinary but misses the goal!
65 minutes: The first substitutions of the game, as Carlo Ancelotti substitutes Rodrygo Gomes and Ferland Mendy for Kroos and Nacho.
,, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and
62 minutes: The visitors then come alive as Vini Jr. is slid in by Luka Modric, but Barcelona fight back in force to stifle the Brazilian.
Lewandowski is blocked by Nacho at the 60-minute mark as Barcelona attempts to advance through the gears, but time is running out for Real Madrid to defend their crown.
55 minutes: Roberto takes the lead for Barcelona once more after the restart. Dani Carvajal heads Roberto’s cross away, and the opponents clear the corner that resulted.
Vini Jr. tries to find Fede Valverde in the box at the 50-minute mark, but the Uruguayan makes a mistake with his angles and the opportunity is lost.
46 minutes: We have returned!
MR. CLUTCH! pic.twitter.com/9DY1xVEYZm
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 19, 2023
Can Real Madrid successfully defend their Liga championship in Catalonia?
BARCELONA 1 — REAL MADRID 1 at halftime.
Just on the cusp of halftime, Barcelona managed to draw even, and Roberto’s close-range goal is merely compensation for an outstanding comeback after falling behind early.
There are 45 minutes left in the La Liga title match, and a draw would maintain Barcelona’s nine point lead.
Barcelona are level at 44 minutes!
No more than Barca merited after Roberto, an unexpected player, scored an equaliser right before halftime!
Araujo does a great job of cutting back from the byline, and while Raphinha’s shot is stopped, Roberto manages to remain alive and score the equaliser, giving Barcelona a MASSIVE goal!
Sergi Roberto with a beautiful finish for the Barça equaliser! 🔥
He hasn’t always been the most popular player with the fans but one of Xavi’s favourite players has come up with a big moment to send the crowd wild 🙌#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/KaMS7ZaNRQ
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 19, 2023
40 minutes: There were numerous tackles. Eduardo Camavinga is cut by Gavi, and Nacho knocks down Raphinha. TASTY!!!
35 minutes: Barcelona is starting to lose patience when Raphinha elbows Toni Kroos, earning him a spot in the official’s notebook.
The Brazilian then turns the attack up, but the flying Courtois tips his dipping attempt away!
As the Dane flicks on a corner, Courtois, who is in fine form today, gets down to gather in the final 30 minutes of Christensen vs. Courtois Part II.
25 minutes : Barcelona is putting in extra effort to get back into this game as Andreas Christensen heads Raphinha’s whipping cross just wide.
Raphinha just seems to be offside as Gavi tries to sneak him in at minute 22.
During the final 20 seconds, Nacho receives the first caution of the game for lunging at Araujo. The visitors are NOT thrilled about that one!
15 minutes: There is a rare interruption in the play as Sergi Roberto charges into a challenge on Nacho and Jules Kounde need medical attention.
12 minutes: Barcelona nearly responded right away, but Dani Carvajal successfully repositioned himself to stop Lewandowski, and Courtois had to quickly leave his position to stop Raphinha. BOTH ENDS ARE IN ACTION!!
8 mins: Go Madrid, Madrid, Madrid!
Before to the game, Ronald Araujo’s return was the biggest development for Barcelona, but the Uruguayan quickly makes headlines for the wrong reasons!
Vinicius Junior’s teaser into the box tempts him to intervene, but all he manages to do is redirect the ball past Ter Stegen for an own goal!
catastrophe for Barca!
An own goal from Araujo gives Real Madrid the lead! 👀 pic.twitter.com/YptEkZmLa7
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 19, 2023
catastrophe for Barca!
5 minutes: BARCA HAS A HUGE CHANCE!
Robert Lewandowski quickly shifts the tie to the other end as he puts Thibaut Courtois’ quickness to the test.
Raphinha’s header is snatched away by the big Belgian as Barcelona regains possession in the box.
Excellent work from Courtois!
Almost an opportunity for Real Madrid inside the first 60 seconds as Karim Benzema sends a swerving effort on goal, but Marc-Andre Ter Stegen dives superbly to save!
Message from President @JoanLaportaFCB ahead of #ElClásico: “We have a great opportunity to take a firm step towards our objective of winning La Liga.” pic.twitter.com/xAQFmH3Itx
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 18, 2023