This time rising from the bench, Franck Kessie was an entire nightmare for Actual Madrid on Sunday, as his stoppage time objective gave Barcelona an exciting 2-1 Clasico win, pushing them 12 factors clear on the prime of La Liga.
The victory dents Madrid’s ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans near lifting the trophy for the primary time since 2019.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Actual took the lead by means of a Ronald Araujo personal objective however Barcelona pulled degree when Sergi Roberto tucked residence simply earlier than half-time.
Barcelona’s Spanish midfielder Sergi Roberto (2nd L) scores his staff’s first objective previous Actual Madrid’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (2nd R) through the Spanish league soccer match in opposition to Actual Madrid on the Camp Nou stadium, Barcelona, Spain, March 19, 2023. (AFP Photograph)
Each side had possibilities to win the sport and Marco Asensio struck for Madrid, however the objective was dominated offside by VAR, earlier than Alejandro Balde arrange Kessie within the 92nd minute.
“We got here from a Marco Asensio objective that we did not know was offside and from shedding, we scored Franck’s objective, and the reality is it tastes a bit higher, successful like that within the final minute,” Sergi Roberto instructed Movistar.
“There are loads of video games left and you may by no means give Madrid up for lifeless; 12 factors is a difficult distance to must go, nevertheless it’s as much as us, and that’s good.”
The build-up to the match was overshadowed by Barcelona’s corruption cost within the “Caso Negreira” refereeing scandal.
Madrid joined Spanish prosecutors’ grievance in opposition to Barcelona final week and their president Florentino Perez snubbed the sport for the primary time in over 20 years, amid rising tensions between the 2 Spanish giants.
That fed the match’s depth, each on and off the pitch, in Xavi’s sixth Clasico as Barcelona coach however solely his first at Camp Nou.
Xavi requested followers to make the stadium a stress cooker they usually responded, promoting it out, whistling Madrid in possession and conjuring top-of-the-line atmospheres of the season.
Madrid didn’t handle a single shot on course of their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg defeat by Barcelona earlier in March, however Karim Benzema stung Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s palms inside the primary minute.
Robert Lewandowski responded on the different finish by testing Thibaut Courtois because the veteran marksmen exchanged pictures.
When Barcelona conceded the opening objective of the sport, it was pleasant fireplace. Araujo deflected Vinicius’ cross in on the close to publish, with Ter Stegen helpless.
Araujo, enjoying at right-back to counteract the Brazilian, has loved his duels with Vinicius prior to now however this time the winger triumphed, albeit fortuitously. Barcelona supporters turned enraged by his emphatic celebration in entrance of them.
It was the primary objective from open play Barcelona have conceded at Camp Nou in La Liga all season lengthy, and solely the second strike at residence and ninth general.
Comeback cost
Barcelona complained defender Nacho, already booked, ought to have been despatched off for a hand-off on Raphinha.
The hosts didn’t get their want, however have been build up steam and located the breakthrough simply earlier than half-time, from an unlikely supply.
Chosen instead of injured midfielder Pedri, Sergi Roberto was in the correct place on the proper time to regulate a unfastened ball within the field and arc it past Courtois.
Barcelona had considerably extra possession than of their cup win over Madrid and considerably extra possibilities.
Lewandowski despatched a deflected piledriver narrowly vast as Madrid wobbled, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to roll the cube and produce on Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.
It nearly paid instantaneous dividends as Madrid robbed Sergio Busquets and Rodrygo lashed inches over the bar.
Madrid substitute Asensio fired residence what might need been the winner however the objective was dominated out for offside after a nervy anticipate VAR instruction.
Barcelona appeared content material with the draw however Kessie’s last-gasp strike sparked wild celebrations at Camp Nou.
Requested if Madrid’s hopes of defending the title have been over, Courtois instructed Movistar, “Sure, we’ve got to be trustworthy, we are going to hold preventing till the tip nevertheless it’s (12 factors) now, we’ve got the higher head-to-head, however they must lose 4 video games and we’ve got to win all of them. Nothing is unimaginable nevertheless it’s very troublesome.”