Sunday's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu pitted Real Madrid against Barcelona in El Clasico.
Andres Iniesta sent the visitors into an early lead, but a double from Karim Benzema left Los Blancos 2-1 ahead. The first-half scoring was not finished, however, as Lionel Messi netted after 42 minutes to level at 2-2.
Madrid regained the lead in the early stages of the second period from a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, but Barcelona leveled with a Messi spot kick after 65 minutes in an incident that saw Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos sent from the field.
Barcelona pushed for a winner in the latter stages and moved ahead five minutes from time when Messi converted his second penalty of the night to register a hat-trick in the Bernabeu.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our La Liga coverage continues on Sports Mole from the Spanish capital as Real Madrid welcome Barcelona in El Clasico. As it stands, the home side sit second in the table following Atletico Madrid's win over Real Betis earlier this afternoon, while Barcelona are a further four points behind the capital pair with 10 games of the season to play. Right, the team news is just filtering through.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Karim Benzema is fit to start for Los Blancos, while Diego Lopez also returns between the sticks. The rest of the XI is as expected with Luka Modric, Xabi Alonso and Angel di Maria starting in midfield. Barcelona, meanwhile, start with a front three of Neymar, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta, but Pedro and Alexis Sanchez are both on the bench. Full teams to follow.
TEAMS:
MADRID: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric, Di Maria; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
BARCA: Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Neymar, Messi, Iniesta
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Madrid side this evening with Dani Carvajal and Marcelo starting in the full-back positions. Jese Rodriguez is out with a long-term injury, but Isco is on the bench. Barcelona, meanwhile, are also as expected in defence and attack, but Iniesta will play in a forward area. Both managers also have an incredible amount of options on the sidelines this evening.
Tonight's match will be the 225th time that the two sides have met in a competitive match, with Real Madrid currently leading with 90 wins to Barcelona's 87. Los Blancos have also scored more goals (379) than Barcelona (363) during those run of matches, while, unsurprisingly, the bulk of the victories have arrived on home soil. For many, it is THE game in European football.
In terms of the recent meetings between the pair, Madrid have won two of the last five matches, with Barcelona winning once and the further two ending in draws. The corresponding clash last season ended in a 2-1 home win, but Barcelona were victorious by the same scoreline when they welcomed Madrid earlier this season.
Madrid also knocked Barcelona out of the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey last season, but the pair will meet in the final of that particular competition this season. Despite the importance of that match next month, this is the one that neither will want to lose. As it stands, there are four points separating second-place Real Madrid from third-place Barcelona with 10 games remaining. Surely Barcelona cannot afford to lose.
Incredibly, Madrid have not been beaten in any competition since losing to Barcelona at the end of October 2013. It is a run that stretches 31 games across three competitions, with Carlo Ancelotti landing on a 4-3-3 formation that has brought the best from Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and summer recruit Bale.
The 'BBC' (Bale, Benzema and Cristiano) have notched 76 goals between them this season. Bale has 14 of those – in addition to 17 assists – while Benzema has netted 21 and Ronaldo – who has netted in his last six Clasicos - has 41. Add into the mix the likes of Modric, Di Maria and Alonso and it is not too difficult to understand why Los Blancos have become such a force in all three major competitions this season.
Madrid's defensive improvement has also been remarkable in recent months with just three home goals conceded in 2014. Ancelotti's side booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League during the week with a 3-1 win over Schalke 04, meanwhile, with Friday's draw revealing that they will play Borussia Dortmund, who they lost against in the semi-finals last season.
Madrid have won their last 17 home games in all competitions and have been beaten just once on their own patch this season. That defeat came against Atletico earlier this season, but it would be fair to say that they have recovered since then. They travelled to Atletico earlier this month and left with a 2-2 draw.
Madrid have won La Liga on 32 occasions, but they have not lifted the trophy since the 2011-12 campaign under a certain Jose Mourinho. Barcelona, meanwhile, have 22 titles to their name and are of course the current holders. However, defeat for the Catalan outfit this evening would leave them seven points behind Los Blancos.
In truth, it is a game that Barcelona dare not lose. As mentioned, they currently sit third in the table on 66 points having won 21 of their 28 league games this season. Recent league defeats to Real Sociedad and Almeria have stunted their progress somewhat, but they warmed up for the Clasico with a thumping 7-0 win over Osasuna last time out in the league, with a certain Lionel Messi scoring three times in the process.
Madrid have lost just twice in the league this season, but Barcelona have been beaten on four occasions. Three of those have arrived on their travels, where their record is nowhere near as strong as the Camp Nou. At home, Barcelona are the leading scorers in the league with 53, but they have scored seven fewer on their travels than Madrid have managed away from the Bernabeu.
Barcelona boss Martino has drawn criticism this season for a perceived change of playing style, but it has still been a successful season. The Catalan outfit will contest the final of the Copa del Rey against Madrid next month and recently booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League - where they will face Atletico - with victory over Manchester City in the last-16 stage.
Barcelona's big three this season – Neymar, Messi and Sanchez have netted 62 times between them – hardly disastrous, but 14 less than Madrid's 'BBC'. Despite his injury problems, 31 of those have arrived from Messi, while Sanchez has scored 19 and Neymar 12, but the Brazilian has drawn criticism for his under-par performances in recent weeks. The latter starts this evening, while Sanchez is on the bench.
In terms of La Liga, the statistics could not be much closer. Barcelona are the current leading scorers this season with 81, while Madrid have netted 77 times. Down the other end, Barcelona have conceded 22 times to Madrid's 26. Barcelona have also kept one more clean sheet (13) than their Clasico rivals.
Messi, who became Barcelona's all-time leading scorer last weekend, is chasing more history this evening – one goal for the Argentine would make him the leading scorer in Clasicos, surpassing former Real Madrid forward Alfredo di Stefano in the process. Ronaldo, meanwhile, currently has 12 to his name against the Catalan outfit. Once more, it is a chance to see the world's top two players clash.
PREDICTION: It is almost impossible to call. On paper, Madrid are the favourites, but you just get the feeling that Barcelona will find a way to take something from the match. Los Blancos are in incredible form, especially at the Bernabeu, but this is Barcelona, who know how to win these type of matches. I am leaning towards Madrid 2-1, but I think Barcelona have enough about them to pick up a point. My score prediction is 2-2 in the capital. Let's hope for an incredible night of football.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the first period. It is a match that Barcelona simply cannot lose. Following the completion of the pre-match handshakes and the exchanging of flags, we will be ready to get the action underway. The atmosphere is just electric inside the stadium.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could have a major influence on the final result. It will certainly be tight, but Madrid enter as the slight favourites there is no question about that. Right, the home side get the first 45 minutes underway on this warm evening in the capital.
First sign of Ronaldo as the Portuguese drives down the left before drilling a low cross into the box, but Pique is on hand to clear the danger. Di Maria continues to force the issue in the final third, but the Argentine fells Busquets. All-action start, with Los Blancos the team in control of the early exchanges.
Not too much for the Barcelona supporters to get excited about in the opening four minutes with Pepe and Ramos closing down the space that Messi likes to find outside the box. Xavi and Iniesta both try to find the Argentine in quick succession, but Pepe is across to clear. Moments later, Neymar has a half-chance after a through pass from Messi, but the Brazilian's effort is straight at Lopez from just inside the box.
Half-chance for Benzema this time as the French forward finds some space just inside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. Plenty happening in the middle of the park, meanwhile, as the challenges continue to arrive from both sides. Bale is involved down the right in the next attack, but Ronaldo is forced out by Alves. The Portuguese wants a penalty, but the referee is not interested.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona (Iniesta)
First blood to Barcelona! The Catalan outfit take the lead as Messi slides in Iniesta, who thumps one into the top corner. Wonderful goal from the champions. The Bernabeu is silenced after seven minutes.
Real Madrid are not used to falling behind this season. They had scored the opening goal in the last 21 matches, but not this evening. Neymar again threatens for the away side with a bright run, but Pepe is across to clear the danger. End-to-end football as Ronaldo breaks for Madrid, but Alba closes the space.
Possession football from Barcelona in the last couple of minutes with Xavi and Fabregas enjoying the ball in the final third. Madrid remain a threat on the break with Ronaldo operating on the left, but the attacker has been crowded out thus far. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening. There has not been many late challenges in the opening 13 minutes, which is a big surprise for a Clasico.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Benzema as Di Maria drives into the box before putting it on a plate for the French forward, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Moments before, the striker had driven a low effort into the arms of Valdes. It is all happening in the Barcelona half at the moment.
CHANCE! Barcelona have a golden chance to score their second as Messi collects a through pass from Xavi before rolling one towards the bottom corner, but his effort just moves wide of the post.
Possession football from Barcelona in the last couple of minutes, which brings whistles from the Madrid supporters. Neymar wants a penalty as he goes down inside the Madrid box, but Pepe is deemed to have played the ball. Ronaldo tests Valdes down the other end moments later, but the Barcelona stopper makes the save.
CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the away side as Messi finds Neymar, but the Brazilian's final effort is weak, with Pepe making the block. Madrid are being caught out time and time again with their high line this evening. It remains 1-0 Barcelona with 20 minutes on the clock at the Bernabeu.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona (Benzema)
Madrid level with 20 minutes on the clock as Benzema towers above Mascherano before converting a cross from Di Maria. Valdes got a hand to the Frenchman's header, but it nestled into the top corner. All level!
Appears to be a problem for Di Maria as the Argentine hits the deck in the Barcelona half. Replays have shown that no contact was made, which is worrying for the midfielder. It does not look likely that he will be able to continue. It is a mystery what has happened, but Los Blancos could be forced into a change here.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona (Benzema)
Madrid take the lead with 24 minutes on the clock as Di Maria once more finds Benzema, who settles inside the box before firing one into the top corner. Incredible scenes at the Bernabeu! What a match!
Wow, just wow. What an opening 26 minutes to this match. It is end-to-end as both sides continue to force the issue in the final third. Barcelona have a free kick just outside the box as Ramos fells Messi, which brings a furious reaction from the away side. The resulting set piece is taken by Messi, but his effort is straight into the wall, before Di Maria breaks down the other end.
OFF THE LINE! Benzema comes close to scoring his third following another cross from Di Maria, but Pique is on hand to clear off the line. Moments later, the home side have a free kick just outside the box as Mascherano fells Di Maria. Incredible scenes with 26 minutes on the clock.
Ronaldo takes the resulting set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall. Three goals and numerous chances at either end. It has been some match thus far. What a response from Los Blancos in the capital.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges, but still no yellow card for either side. Barcelona enjoy a period of possession and force another free kick outside the box as Di Maria fells Fabregas. Little over 15 minutes of the first half to play inside this incredible stadium. The next goal - if there indeed is one - will surely be vital.
The resulting free kick is taken by Xavi, but his effort is straight into the wall. Madrid are down the other end with Alonso moments later, but Busquets is on hand to make the challenge. Neymar delivers into the Los Blancos area in the next attack, but Pepe is on hand to clear the danger. End-to-end football.
Iniesta takes matters into his own hands as he drives a low cross towards Messi, but Pepe is on hand to clear the danger at the vital moment. Alba delivers another cross moments later, but Modric is on hand to make the clearance. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining at the Bernabeu. It has been sensational.
Ronaldo takes on Pique down the Madrid left, but the attacker loses his footing at the vital moment and the danger is cleared. The first yellow card of the evening is handed to Di Maria, meanwhile, as the Argentine fells Neymar. Plenty of free kicks for Barcelona, but the overall quality has been lacking from set pieces.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Barcelona are seeing more of the ball. The opening 39 minutes has just flown past. Can it slow down? It has been just wonderful. As it stands, the home side are moving seven points clear of Barcelona in La Liga. That would be a big gap at this stage.
Good pressure from the away side in the last couple of minutes as Alba forces a corner from Carvajal. The resulting set piece is delivered towards Pique, but Bale is on hand to clear the danger. Carvajal attempts to break moments later, but Busquets is across to make the challenge. Still 2-1 Madrid at the Bernabeu.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona (Messi)
Barcelona level at the Bernabeu as Messi dances into the box before drilling one into the bottom corner. An off-the-ball incident occurs moments later, which halts the celebrations!
Pepe clashed with Fabregas, but the referee does not produce a card. Four goals and just one yellow card in the first period. Bale breaks down the other end for Real Madrid moments later, but Alba is across to make a challenge. Little over one minute of the first period remaining in what has been a stunning first period.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Benzema to score his third following a deep cross from Carvajal, but his header is just wide of the post. Incredible end to the first 45 minutes.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona
Wow, just wow. Stunning first period at the Bernabeu with the two sides level at the interval. Iniesta opened the scoring for the away side in the early stages, before a double from Benzema left Madrid 2-1 ahead. Messi levelled late in the first half, however, following a mix-up in the Los Blancos box. What a Clasico!
STATISTICS: Barcelona have had more of the ball with 67%, but they have had eight attempts to Madrid's 10. The home side have hit the target on five occasions, while Barcelona have registered three attempts on target. There has been three bookings, meanwhile, with Di Maria and Pepe carded for Madrid and Fabregas for Barcelona. It has been an incredible half of football in the Spanish capital.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Isco and Alvaro Morata. Meanwhile, Barcelona have the likes of Pedro and Sanchez in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players. It is a match that could ultimately be decided from the bench.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. The next goal - if there indeed is one - will surely be vital. Neither side has impressed defensively this evening, which has created a stunning contest. Barcelona get the second 45 minutes of action underway in the Spanish capital.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur over the course of the second period. Slightly untidy start to the second half in Madrid with both sides guilty of some loose passing in the final third of the field.
It's bright work from Alves as the Barcelona right-back finds some space down the right before delivering towards Messi, but Ramos is on hand to clear the danger. Madrid break with Bale moments later, but Busquets blocks the Welshman. The advantage is played, but Madrid lose possession moments later through Benzema.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but Barcelona are enjoying more of the ball. It is the away supporters that can be heard with 52 minutes on the clock. The home side are yet to really to start in the second 45 minutes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Benzema as Bale carries possession into the Barcelona half before finding the Frenchman, but Valdes is on hand to make a smart save. What an opportunity.
PENALTY TO REAL MADRID!
The home side are awarded a penalty as Ronaldo is clipped by Alves, but replays have shown that it was outside the box. The Portuguese will take.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona (Ronaldo, pen)
Ronaldo steps up before sending his effort into the bottom corner. Wonderful scenes at the Bernabeu! Only 10 minutes played in the second period and we have had five goals!
The atmosphere has risen in the last few minutes with both sides flying into a number of challenges. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals at the Bernabeu. Neither manager has looked to their bench thus far, but Barcelona have the likes of Pedro and Sanchez in reserve. Little over 30 minutes remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Bale to register for the home side following a smart flick from Benzema inside the box, but Valdes is on hand to make another smart save. Hardly time to take a breath!
Half-chance for the away side as Iniesta strikes one from outside the box, but his effort just whistles high and wide of the crossbar. Barcelona threaten from the resulting corner following a Bale deflection, but Ramos is on hand to clear the danger. Moments later, Neymar fires at Lopez from outside the box.
PENALTY TO BARCELONA AND RED CARD RAMOS!
Barcelona are awarded a penalty as Neymar is tugged down by Ramos inside the box. The referee awards the penalty and then produces a red card. What an incredible contest!
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-3 Barcelona (Messi, pen)
Brilliant penalty from Messi as the Argentine hammers his effort into the bottom corner. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining and it is 3-3 at the Bernabeu!
The home side make their first change of the match as Benzema is replaced by Varane, which is not much of a surprise. Los Blancos will have to play the remaining 25 minutes with 10 men. I would not be surprised if we saw another red card in the contest that is for certain. Just a sensational match in Madrid.
Barcelona make their first change of the match as Neymar is replaced by Pedro, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. You just get the feeling that Real Madrid would accept a 3-3 draw, but Barcelona will want to make use of their man advantage. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges from both sides. Los Blancos force the issue through Ronaldo moments later, but Busquets is on hand to make the challenge. Surely there are more goals to come in this incredible contest.
Half-chance for Barcelona as Busquets meets a cross at the near post, but his glancing header is high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much to report in terms of Madrid chances since Ramos was sent from the field. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals as both defences continue to struggle.
POST! Barcelona come close to taking the lead as Alves thumps one from the edge of the box, but his effort smashes off the post. Barcelona are in control of the possession with 75 minutes played.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as both sides continue to commit fouls in the final third. Los Blancos want another penalty as Ronaldo goes down inside the box under pressure from Pique, but the referee is not interested. Sanchez is stripped for the visitors.
Barcelona do indeed make their second change of the match as Chilean international Sanchez enters the field in place of Fabregas. Martino is going for the three points this evening there is no question about that. Sanchez falls inside the box under pressure from Carvajal, but the referee is not interested.
Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the last few moments as Barcelona continue to force the issue in the final third. You just get the feeling that chances will arrive in the final 10 minutes or so. You can just sense the nervousness inside the stadium with 82 minutes on the clock.
Mascherano tries his luck for Barcelona after finding some space outside the box, but his effort was high and wide of the crossbar. The Argentine has not scored in four years for the Catalan outfit. The away side continue to dominate the ball, but there have been few clear opportunities in the last couple of minutes.
PENALTY TO BARCELONA!
Barcelona are awarded a penalty as Alonso brings Iniesta to the ground inside the box. Silence around the stadium as Messi steps up once more.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona (Messi, pen)
Of course he scores. Messi sends his effort into the top corner. Stunning effort from the Argentine. Little over five minutes for Los Blancos to turn this match around.
Real Madrid make another change as Isco enters the field in place of Di Maria, who has faded after a bright first period in the capital. Is there to be late drama here? Ronaldo picks up a booking moments later following a high challenge with Mascherano.
It is the Barcelona supporters that can be heard in the final stages of this match. This really would be a crucial result for the Catalan outfit. It would leave them in third, but they would be just one point behind second-place Madrid. Atletico, meanwhile, would remain top of the table. Incredible race in La Liga!
The home side make their third change of the match as Morata replaces Modric. It is all or nothing for Madrid as we approach the final minute. Alonso delivers his set piece into the Barcelona box, but Alba clears.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Another half-chance for Messi following an Iniesta cross, but Lopez is out to claim.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona
So there we have it. Incredible, just incredible. That had everything! Barcelona hold on to secure all three points. They remain third, but they are now just one point behind Real Madrid, who are second. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
