Barcelona
were the comeback kings at the Santiago Bernabeu as the champions
recovered from conceding within the first minute to defeat bitter
rivals Real Madrid 3-1 in the seventh and final Clasico of 2011. Jose
Mourinho’s men took the lead after only 22 seconds when Karim Benzema
grabbed the quickest goal in Clasico history. The home side were pegged
back on the half hour mark when Alexis Sanchez grabbed an equaliser in
his first league appearance against Madrid.
A
Xavi volley took a fortuitous deflection off Marcelo to give the
visitors the lead, before Cesc Fabregas’ header finished off a
wonderful team move in the 66th minute in what proved to be the
fixture’s final strike. The victory sends Barcelona level on points
with Jose Mourinho’s men and to the top of the Liga table due to their
superior head-to-head record against Madrid, who have a game in hand.
In
one of the most astonishing starts in the history of the Clasico, Real
Madrid were a goal to the good within 22 seconds. Victor Valdes’ poor
clearance fell to the feet of Angel Di Maria who drilled the ball into
the penalty area only for Sergio Busquets to block its progress. Mesut
Ozil’s attempted volley deflected off Busquets into the path of Benzema to fire home six yards from goal.
Madrid
were left to rue opportunities to double their lead when Barcelona
drew level on the half hour mark with Messi on hand to turn provider.
The 24-year-old bypassed several challenges before sliding a weighted
through ball to Alexis Sanchez, who calmly slotted past Casillas from the edge of the area to bring his side back into the game and all square at the break.
After
a edgy opening to the second period, Barcelona were handed the lead
thanks to a large slice of fortune on 53 minutes. Xavi’s speculative
volley 25 yards from goal took a massive deflection off Marcelo, fooling a wrong-footed Casillas with the ball spinning off the post and into the back of the net.
Cristiano
Ronaldo, who had in the first half skewed a shot wide of the target
when Di Maria was perhaps better placed to his right, then squandered a
golden opportunity to level the contest. Xabi Alonso’s cross found the
Portuguese completely unmarked inside the area, but his header drifted
wide of the post.
Madrid
were made to pay, as Barca extended their lead in the 66th minute after
a breathtaking counterattacking move. Messi slid the ball out to the
right for Dani Alves to whip a beautiful cross towards the back post
where an unmarked Cesc Fabregas was on cue to coolly head the ball into the far corner in what was to be the final goal of a pulsating encounter.
Next
up for Real Madrid is a trip to Ponferradina on Tuesday as they look
to defend their Copa del Rey title. Barcelona now head to Japan where
they will feature in the Club World Cup. Their first task will be a
semi-final meeting against either Esperance or Al Sadd on Thursday.
Source : goal.com
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