Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in an enthralling El Clasico at Camp Nou to move top of the table by two points on Sunday.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who was exceptional, both started but it was Ibrahimovic, back from injury, who stole the limelight volleying in a 56th minute winner.
“It is such a great feeling especially after just coming back from injury,” beamed Ibrahimovic. “The cross from Dani [Alves] was brilliant and I just slotted it in.”
Barca were reduced to 10 men when Sergi Busquets handballed just after the hour mark and needed some heroics from Carles Puyol
Real missed some clear-cut chances with Ronaldo spurning a glorious chance to put Real ahead after just 19 minutes.
“We had so many chances so I don’t think 1-0 is a fair result,” said Real captain Iker Casillas. “I don’t really care about the image we portrayed I care about winning games but the luck wasn’t with us tonight.”
Ronaldo started for the first time since the end of September with his ankle holding up. Karim Benzema dropped to the bench and was joined by captain Raul.
Barcelona started with Messi who shrugged off a thigh strain but Ibrahimovic was on the bench with a thigh strain of his own so Thierry Henry kept his place in attack.
Real were second best in terms of possession and Messi looked match fit as he thrust at the Real defence twisting Pepe inside out but Henry’s poor shot ended the danger.
Barca were passing like they can do but Real were looking the more dangerous.
On 19 minutes Ronaldo should have scored after Kaka cut inside before sliding the ball across goal but Ronaldo’s side-footed shot was saved brilliantly by Victor Valdes.
It was then Puyol’s turn for a heroic block to deny Marcelo on 29 minutes.
Ibrahimovic came on for Henry minutes into the second half and had an immediate impact on his Clasico debut scoring the opener five minutes after coming on.
Dani Alves curled a delightful ball across the face of goal and Ibrahimovic arrived on cue guiding a left-footed volley past Casillas.
Barca looked in control but Busquets was then sent off for handball just after the hour mark.
Real threw on Benzema but Barca should have made it 2-0 only for Gerard Pique to head wide.
Down to ten men Barca still attacked although Real had chances with Ronaldo heading over and Puyol producing another great block to thwart Benzema.
Real substitute Raul skied from right in front of goal while Casillas pulled off a wonder save to deny Messi at the death.
Madrid’s Lass Diarra was sent off in the closing stages for hacking down Xavi.
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Spanish La Liga
Team | P | GD | PTS | |
1 | Barcelona | 12 | 22 | 30 |
2 | Real Madrid | 12 | 18 | 28 |
3 | Sevilla | 12 | 13 | 26 |
4 | Valencia | 12 | 11 | 25 |
5 | Deportivo La Coruna | 12 | 5 | 25 |
6 | Real Mallorca | 12 | 7 | 21 |
7 | Sporting Gijon | 12 | 3 | 20 |
8 | Athletic Bilbao | 12 | 1 | 20 |
9 | Getafe | 12 | 2 | 18 |
10 | Osasuna | 12 | -2 | 15 |
11 | Espanyol | 12 | -8 | 13 |
12 | Villareal | 12 | 1 | 12 |
13 | Almeria | 12 | -7 | 12 |
14 | Real Zaragoza | 12 | -8 | 12 |
15 | Valladolid | 12 | -5 | 11 |
16 | Tenerife | 12 | -13 | 11 |
17 | Atletico Madrid | 12 | -7 | 10 |
18 | Malaga | 12 | -5 | 7 |
19 | Racing Santander | 12 | -11 | 7 |
20 | Xerez | 12 | -17 | 7 |
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