BREAKING NEWS: “He’s a player i admire and respect alot, he does his job perfectly and he’s even better than all Barcelona players including Yamal”- Barcelona Star Robert Lewandowski says £45M Real Madrid player is even better than Barca’s Yamal- Not Diaz, Not Rodrigo and not Vinicious jnr….
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Barcelona’s hopes of reeling Real Madrid in and defending their title in La Liga are all-but over as they twice gave up leads before succumbing to a stoppage-time strike by Jude Bellingham to lose 3-2 in El Clasico on Sunday.
The visitors took an early lead as Andreas Christensen got above Toni Kroos at the back post and headed home from a corner. However, they were not ahead for long, as Lucas Vazquez drew a foul out of Clasico debutant Pau Cubarsi inside the Barca box, and Vinicius Jr converted from the penalty spot.
Barca were unfortunate not to retake the lead midway through the first half, as Lamine Yamal’s near-post flick from a corner looked to have crossed the line, but the lack of goal-line technology in La Liga meant the VAR could not be sure. The Blaugrana’s mood was then dampened further when Frenkie de Jong was stretchered off shortly before half-time.
Barca didn’t feel sorry for themselves, however, and retook the lead when substitute Fermin Lopez tapped in after Andriy Lunin spilled Yamal’s cross. However, Madrid hit back quickly yet again, as Vazquez fired in from Vinicius’ cross, and the full-back then turned provider for Bellingham to net the winner as the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark.
The result leaves Madrid 11 points clear of Barca at the top of the table, and with just six rounds of matches left, they will likely now stroll to the title.
GOAL rates Barca’s players from the Bernabeu…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):
Almost reached Vinicius’ penalty, and wasn’t really stretched again until the 78th minute when he saved well from the Brazilian. Distribution solid, as always.
Jules Kounde (8/10):
After keeping Mbappe quiet in Paris 11 days ago, the French defender did a job on Vinicius here. Always composed in his defensive work, and even got forward to support attacks on occasion too.
Ronald Araujo (7/10):
Bounced back from his Champions League disappointment to put in a strong showing at the heart of the Barca backline.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10):
Had a shaky start and conceded the penalty for a trip on Vazquez. Recovered well, though, and looked composed for the final 70 minutes.
Joao Cancelo (3/10):
Should have done more to stop Vazquez in the build-up to the penalty, and totally lost the Madrid right-back when he netted the second equaliser. Had some moments going forward, but not enough to properly threaten.
