Sports
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: El Clasico – LIVE!
El Clasico returns at the Camp Nou tonight as arguably world football’s most famous club rivalry is renewed once more. This is the fourth meeting of the season already between these fierce enemies, with one more still on the schedule as the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final looms next month. Barcelona hold a narrow lead in that after Eder Militao’s own goal at the Bernabeu, while they also won the Spanish Super Cup but lost the first LaLiga clash in October.
Another win for the Catalans here in Xavi’s first home Clasico would be their 100th in this high-profile fixture and see them take a surely decisive 12-point lead in the title race with only 12 games left to play this season. They have put their shock loss to Almeria behind them after consecutive wins over Valencia and Athletic Club, with Madrid marching on in the Champions League but dropping points domestically against the likes of Real Betis and Atletico.
Karim Benzema’s fitness after another knock is a major boost for Carlo Ancelotti and Los Blancos, with the absence of Pedri a bitter pill for Barca. Follow Barcelona vs Real Madrid in El Clasico live below!
Live updates
42 mins: Good defensive header by Balde at the far post after Vinicius Jr digs out a cross on the left.
Madrid are preferring the scrappy nature to the last few minutes of this Clasico.
40 mins: A poor pass sees Barcelona’s latest move break down before Nacho sails his pass into touch anyway.
The Catalans on top late in the half and Nacho somehow avoids a foul for palming off Raphinha on the byline.
Vinicius Jr is then bundled over by the corner flag and that is a free kick.
36 mins: Not a huge sense of control from Real now, who have not threatened at all in attack over the past ten or so minutes.
Vinicius Jr tries to change that but gets crowded out and the ball balloons up for Ter Stegen.
34 mins: Another save from Courtois!
Raphinha unleashes a powerful hit from the edge of the box and the Real keeper throws a hand up to tip it over. A central shot, easy enough for Courtois, but on target nonetheless.
33 mins: A yellow card for Raphinha after sticking a late one on Kroos.
A few crunchy tackles flying in during this first half, the derby tension gently simmering away.
31 mins: Araujo bombs forward to win a corner and its played short before a wicked ball into the near post… Christensen heads it low and straight at Courtois!
29 mins: For all their patient possession, it is high crosses into the box creating the biggest threat for Barcelona.
Having said that, the ball statistics are almost exactly even so far.
27 mins: A delightful piece of skill from Vinicius Jr beats Kounde and Araujo all ends up… and Ter Stegen gets off his line well to gather and end his run.
Barcelona chance!
24 mins: Christensen pops up at the near post and, unmarked, doesn’t make enough contact as his header flies wide!
22 mins: Sleek counter-attack from Los Blancos as Valverde is released with a sweet ball in behind.
He cuts it back to Benzema but his first touch isn’t great from the overhit pass, leading to a lay-off for Carvajal that the right-back stumbles over. Goal kick.
