Barcelona and Real Madrid shared the points in a thrilling El Clásico on Sunday evening, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring two goals apiece in the 2-2 draw.
Messi and Ronaldo’s astonishing goalscoring records were further embellished as the pair set about showing why they are considered the finest players in the world game. Ronaldo struck for Madrid first, sneaking a shot inside the post after 23 minutes to set a new record for scoring in six consecutive El Clásicos.
Just seven minutes later, with the Nou Camp roaring the home team forward, Ronaldo’s Argentinian rival pounced on a loose ball in the Madrid box, poking his shot beyond Iker Casillas to draw Barcelona level.
The Messi and Ronaldo show continued after half-time. After 61 minutes, Messi curled an impeccable free-kick beyond the reach of Casillas, but Ronaldo needed only five minutes to equalize, running on to Mesut Ozil’s throughball and beating the offside trap to slot home his 14th goal in 11 games this season.
In the remaining 25 minutes, both teams saw chances to snatch a winner. Ronaldo nearly bagged his third hat-trick in three games with an audacious overhead kick, and Barca ‘keeper Victor Valdés keenly blocked a Gonzalo Higuaín shot. Yet Barcelona finished stronger, with Martín Montoya hitting the crossbar and Andrés Iniesta releasing Pedro in injury time only for the winger to send his shot fractionally wide.
While the tie ends Barcelona’s perfect league record this season, they remain eight points clear of their title rivals, who endured a stumbling start to the domestic season.
See all the goals from the latest El Clásico below:
