Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 1: Kessie the hero with 92nd-minute El Clasico winner as Xavi’s troops move 12 points clear
FRANCK KESSIE’S stoppage-time strike earned Barcelona a dramatic victory in El Clasico and put them in complete control of the La Liga title race.
Xavi’s side are 12 points clear of their greatest rivals with 12 games left and would need a monumental collapse to avoid being crowned Spanish champions for the 27th time.
Barcelona’s Franck Kessie celebrates his 92nd minute winner in El ClasicoReuters
Xavi’s side are now 12 points clear at the top of La LigaReuters
Although they were forced to come from behind to complete this turnaround.
After Raphinha was denied his third goal in as many outings by Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid took the lead nine minutes in.
Fresh from setting up Karim Benzema’s winner against Liverpool on Wednesday, Vinícius Junior claimed another assist after his cross deflected in off Ronald Araujo.
It was only the SECOND goal Barca had conceded at home in the league all season and first since December.
Vinicius Jr’s good work gave Real Madrid a shock leadRex
Sergi Roberto celebrates Barcelona’s equaliserEPA
But it’s up the other end where they’ve have been struggling in recent weeks with only three goals in four games since crashing out of Europe.
It wasn’t for the warrant of trying though, with Courtois at his best to keep the home side at bay on several occasions before the break.
Barcelona eventually found a breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Sergi Roberto was a cool head amongst a hectic penalty area and stroked past the Belgian.
Rodrygo should have put Madrid back ahead just past the hour mark, while Robert Lewandowski spurned two golden chances to complete the turnaround.
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Marco Asensio thought he won it nine minutes from time, but his strike was ruled out for offside by VAR following a lengthy delay.
And in the 92nd minute, Alejandro Balde’s low cross was turned home by Kessie to spark wild scenes at the Nou Camp.
