Barcelona has practically sealed the fight for the league title after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 in a classic that was resolved due to the lack of finishing by Carlo Ancelotti's team when they had opportunities to recover and two goals in the final stages of each half, the last one scored by Ivorian Franck Kessie in stoppage time.
The victory gives Xavi Hernandez's team a twelve-point advantage. There is still a long way to go in the championship, but it is a difference that seems practically impossible for a toothless white side to overcome, with Vinicius Junior practically being the only attacking resource as Karim Benzema showed he is far from his best form.
Even the own goal by Uruguayan Ronald Araujo in the 9th minute, when he deflected a cross from Vinicius, couldn't be capitalized by Ancelotti's team. It could have been a very hard blow for Barcelona, who had come out with much more bite and made Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois work more than his team would have wanted.
Sergi Roberto, in the final action of the first half, restored balance to the scoreboard. The draw was a good result for Barcelona to maintain their clear advantage. Real Madrid had no choice but to go in search of victory and, in the midst of a hectic rhythm from one end of the field to the other, even managed to score nine minutes from the end, but Marco Asensio's goal was ruled out after VAR review for offside.
The punishment for the Madrid team and the reward for the blaugrana came in the final stages of the game with a shot from Kessie, who had already been decisive in the first leg of the Copa del Rey at the Santiago Bernabeu.
EFE.
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