FC Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid: Catalans Extend La Liga lead over Los Blancos to 12 Points, Sergi Roberto and Frank Kessie net rare Goals>>>

Catalonian giants FC Barcelona extended their lead at the top of the Spanish La Liga table to twelve points, after defeating reigning champions Real Madrid 2-1 in their latest instalment of the El Gran Clasico at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday night.

The hosts started well and tried to dominate proceedings, but it was Los Blancos who drew first blood. Vinicius Jr’s pace saw him move across the byline and his subsequent cross into the area was turned home by Barca defender Ronald Araujo.

It was the first time that the Catalans defence had been breached at home in La Liga all season, while it was the ninth goal Xavi Hernandez’s men have conceded in the top-flight this campaign.

Barcelona’s efforts to restore parity was rewarded on the stroke of half-time when Sergi Roberto fired home, after Madrid failed to clear their lines.

Ivorian midfielder Frank Kessie who has had a tough campaign following his summer move from AC Milan, proved to be the hero as he found the back of the net to give Barcelona the three points and an unassailable twelve-point lead, as coach Xavi Hernandez’s side close in on the top-flight title since 2019.

🔴 Live Blog:

FULL-TIME AT THE SPOTIFY CAMP NOU: FC Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

GOOOAAALLL!!! FC Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid (F. Kessie)

Substitute Frank Kessie turns the ball home, following a flowing team move involving Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT THE SPOTIFY CAMP NOU: FC Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid

A fine end to an entertaining opening 45 minutes. Ronald Araujo’s own goal got Madrid going, until Sergio Roberto equalized on the stroke of half-time to make it all square in Catalonia.

HALF-TIME AT THE SPOTIFY CAMP NOU: FC Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid

GOOOAAALLL!!! FC Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid (S. Roberto)

45′ MIN: The Catalans level proceedings through the most unlikeliest of goalscorers in Sergio Roberto.

GOOOAAALLL!!! FC Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid (Own Goal – R. Araujo)

9′ MIN: Vinicius Jr’s cross is deflected off defender Ronald Araujo and into the net, as Los Blancos take an early lead.

👟⚽️ And the ball is rolling here at Spotify Camp Nou! #ElClásico

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 19, 2023

KICK-OFF AT THE SPOTIFY CAMP NOU: FC Barcelona 0-0 Real Madrid

A special spectator at the Spotify Camp Nou 👀#ElClásico #LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/ai4ov2iSjh

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) March 19, 2023

The Starting XI of both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, ahead of their clash at the Spotify Camp Nou.