FC Barcelona and Real Madrid drew 2-2 in ‘El Clasico’ in the Camp Nou Stadium on Sunday as the host held on for 45 minutes with 10 men in a hard-fought game between Spain’s two traditional rivals.
Although Barcelona was unable to win the match, the team maintained its unbeaten record for the season in what was Andres Iniesta’s last game against Real Madrid, Xinhua reported.
Both sides fielded their strongest available sides with Rafael Varene able to start for Real Madrid. Barcelona took the lead after a subdued start in the 10th minute as Luis Suarez scored following a pass from Sergi Roberto.
The La Liga champion’s lead did not last long as Cristiano Ronaldo equalized in the 15th minute with a close range effort following good work from Tony Kroos and Karim Benzema.
After several feisty challenges in the last minutes of the first half, the host was reduced to 10 men as Sergi Roberto was shown a straight red card following an incident with Madrid left back Marcelo.
The Catalans produced some of their best football of the game at the start of the second half and took the lead as Lionel Messi finished after great work from Luis Suarez seven minutes after the break.
Suarez then saw a goal disallowed after a marginal offside decision, before Andres Iniesta was substituted in his final ‘Clasico’. The Barcelona veteran received a standing ovation in an emotional moment for the fans in the Camp Nou.
Barcelona had to play deeper and Bale, who was perhaps lucky not to have been sent off after several bad challenges, equalized after fine work from Marco Asensio.
It was mainly Madrid until the final whistle, but Barcelona held on with few problems to continue its unbeaten run.
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