El Classico: Barca wins; opens up title race

How often has it happened that the result of an El Classico has changed the course of the title race in the La Liga? The answer is innumerable times. This time also there was no exception. The only exception is that neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona has got an upperhand in the questions of winning the title. It is Athletico Madrid who has gained a lot from the 4-3 win secured by Barcelona. Athletico now lead the points table with nine games left in the season. Though they are tied with Real on points they are ahead of their city rivals on head-to-head advantage. Barcelona, lying in the third position, are also not too far away from the Madrid teams in terms of points.

Now coming into last night’s encounter, it was mostly two old warhorses renewing their rivalry on the field. Both the teams enjoyed their moments on a topsy-turvy match in the end of which Barca emerged on top. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick for the Catalans and Andres Iniesta scored his second at Santiago Benabeu to set up the win. For the Los Blancos, Karim Benzema scored a brace and Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot to bring the home team close to a great victory.

However controversial refereeing somewhat marred the high standards of football displayed on the pitch. The late marching orders for Sergio Ramos which resulted in a penalty from which Barca equalized attracted lot of controversy, though the later one given with few minutes remaining in the match had no signs of controversy written over it. Even the foul which resulted in the penalty which Ronaldo scored seemed to have taken place just marginally out of the box. Undoubtedly both teams had lot of complaints regarding the standard of refereeing in such a high intensity match. CR7 even commented that the people don’t want Real Madrid to win the trophy.

But what is an El Classico without controversy-without the edge of the seat finish-without scintillating goals scored! That’s why even with all these controversies El Classico yet again turned out to be most exciting game of football on the earth and it was proved yet again by electrifying atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu.

• About the Author

About Argha Ghosh

An ardent follower of sports and die-hard Manchester United fan, Argha's ultimate dream is to watch a Manchester derby from the Stretford End at the Old Trafford.