FC Barcelona overcame rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico to get back in the running for the title, thanks to Messi’s 500th goal for his side. Luis Enrique’s side that won 3-2 in the capital on Sunday night featured Germany international goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. The away win meant that Barca are now level on points (75) with Real, for whom world champion Toni Kroos started, at the top of the table. However, Real Madrid do have a game in hand.
Midfield engine Casemiro (28’) put Madrid into the lead, before Lionel Messi brought Barcelona level five minutes later. Following a superb goal from former Schalke midfielder Ivan Rakitic (73’), substitute James Rodriguez scored three minutes after coming on. Messi made history in the fourth minute of injury time. Prior to that, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos (77’) saw a red card for a sliding challenge on Lionel Messi.
Real get off to the better start
Real got off to the better start in front of an audience of 81,044 by causing trouble down Barcelona’s left-hand side. Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo (8’) came close to scoring, before Casemiro’s opening goal, with a left-footed shot. The guests held strong and caused some problems of their own through their strike force: firstly, Luis Suarez (11’) had a shot just off-target, and then Messi was unsuccessful in his attempt to equalise.
The second half saw the hosts start off strong yet again. Ter Stegen managed to keep out Benzema’s header (54’), which led to Paco Alcacer (56’) and Gerard Pique (59’) having chances themselves on the counter. Having acquired the lead, Pique (80’) then failed to finish a great chance which would have sealed the game, by firing straight at Navas.
Özil into the FA Cup final with Arsenal
World Champion Mesut Özil has reached the final of the FA Cup with Arsenal, after beating Manchester City 2-1 after extra time in the semi-final at Wembley on Sunday. Another DFB Team star in Shkrodran Mustafi missed out on the encounter with thigh problems. For the Citizens, Pep Guardiola lined up with Germany international Leroy Sané in his starting XI. Arsenal will face another London club in the final on the 27th of May, as Chelsea downed Tottenham 4-2 on Saturday to book their ticket for the final. If Arsene Wenger’s men lift the trophy, it’ll be the third time in the last four years that they’ve done so, while Antonio Conte’s side will be on the hunt for the eighth FA Cup in the club’s history.
The first half finished goalless, but Sergio Agüero put his side ahead 17 minutes after the restart. It took just eight minutes for Arsenal to find a response, as Nacho Monreal levelled. The North Londoners then completed their comeback in the 101st minute, as Alexis Sanchez netted what turned out to be the winner.
Can’s Liverpool lose
Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool have taken a blow in the race for the Champions League qualifying places, as they lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace on the 34th Premier League matchday. They remain in third place with just a two point cushion ahead of Man City, who also have two games in hand.
With Emre Can in their starting line-up, things started positively for Liverpool, as Philippe Coutinho scored to put his team 1-0 up in the 24th minute. However, Christian Benteke found the net against his old club just before the break (42’) before sinking his old teammates with a second in the second half (74’).