Real Madrid edged closer to the LaLiga title after netting a late winner to defeat ElClasico rivals FC Barcelona 3-2 on Sunday night.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 3-2 FC Barcelona
Date: 21 April 2024
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Madrid made three changes to the side that started against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, as Aurelien Tchouameni returned after a European suspension, alongside recalls for Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric.
The Catalans kept virtually the same side that was hammered by Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, apart from Andreas Christensen, who returned after European suspension, with the front trio of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal leading the attack.
Barca had a dream start after Christensen gave them the lead with six minutes on the clock with a free header at the back post after goalkeeper Andriy Lunin mistimed a corner by Raphinha.
However, Los Blancos levelled matters on 18 minutes thanks to a penalty converted by Vinicius Junior after Vazquez was brought down in the box.
Xavi's charges threatened to restore their lead on the half-hour mark after Lunin could not completely deal with a header from Yamal, as he pushed the ball just on the line and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was required to confirm that the whole circle of the ball did not cross the line.
The game opened up towards the interval but neither side took their chances and Barcelona went to the break with a forced change after Frenkie de Jong picked up a seemingly serious injury as he was stretcherered off the field and was replaced by Pedri.
The game continued to open up straight from the break but Barca were more desperate and on 64 minutes Xavi brought on Joao Felix in place of Raphinha for a different approach in attack.
Fermin Lopez eventually gave the Catalans a 2-1 lead 21 minutes before time with a finish from a rebound at close range after Lunin parried away a shot by Yamal.
However, Barca could not hold onto their lead for long as Vazquez equalised four minutes later with a first-time finish at the back post from a long square pass by Vinicius Junior.
Madrid had the momentum in the closing stages and Jude Bellingham snatched the winner in added time after firing home a strike unmarked at the back post after a cut-back by Vazquez.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges steered 11 points ahead of second-placed Barca at the top of the table.
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