Real Madrid 3 Galatasaray 0: match report – Cristiano Ronaldo scores

Posted on April 4, 2013 by adminsports

Real Madrid 3 Galatasaray 0: Classy Ronaldo and Co on course for semi-finals

PUBLISHED:

20:35 GMT, 3 April 2013

UPDATED:

21:05 GMT, 3 April 2013

Real Madrid took a huge step towards reaching the last four of the Champions League by strolling to a comfortable victory over Galatasaray at the Bernabeu.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring early in the first half before Karim Benzema doubled the hosts' lead.

Substitute Gonzalo Higuain's second-half header put the result beyond doubt, and made Madrid's task in the second leg at the Turk Telecom Arena next Tuesday look far easier.

Up and over: Cristiano Ronaldo scored the first against Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu

MATCH FACTS

Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao, Khedira, Ronaldo, Ozil (Modric – 80), Alonso, Essien, Di Maria (Pepe 86), Benzema (Higuain 65)

Subs not used: Adan, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Kaka

Booked: Essien, Modric, Ramos

Goals: Ronaldo 9, Benzema 29, Higuain 73

Galatasaray: Muslera, Dany Nounkeu, Kaya, Eboue, Altintop (Bulut 78), Inan, Felipe Melo, Riera (Amrabat 83), Sneijder (Zan 46), Yilmaz, Drogba

Subs not used: Iscan, Balta, Sarioglu, Kurtulus

Booked: Dany Nounkeu, Felipe Melo, Yilmaz, Drogba

Referee: Oddvar Moen

Attendance: 80,000

Galatasaray's coach and players had
insisted before the game that they would try to attack the Primera
Division champions and would not settle for holding out for a draw. They
were loyal to their promise in the first half, but it left them very
exposed at the back.

Madrid, who have the reputation for
being one of the best counter-attacking teams in Europe, were given a
generous amount of space by their opponents and made full use of it.

They had their first attempt on two
minutes, Benzema heading just over the bar after a cross from Angel Di
Maria, and they took the lead after just nine minutes.

Xabi Alonso supplied the ball up to
Mesut Ozil from his own half and the German played a one-two with
Benzema, which allowed him space to deliver an excellent low pass into
the path of Ronaldo, who calmly chipped the ball over goalkeeper
Fernando Muslera and into the net.

Gala played pretty football but
struggled to penetrate the Madrid backline and were limited to shots
from outside the area. Didier Drogba turned Raphael Varane on the
18-yard line and shot just over the bar, while Wesley Sneijder also
missed the target from 20 yards.

In the goals: Karim Benzema got the second for the hosts

Sea of red: Galatasaray fans lit a flare to celebrate the occasion

Ozil could have doubled the lead when
a long Sergio Ramos header out of defence led to Madrid attacking, but
the midfielder, receiving the ball from Ronaldo, could not put his shot
past Muslera.

Madrid's second goal arrived just
before the half-hour mark. Michael Essien, a surprise inclusion in the
starting line-up at the expense of Alvaro Arbeloa, delivered a high ball
into the box which fell at the feet of Benzema, who was in space, took
one touch to control the pass and slotted home from six yards.

Galatasaray's best chance of the half
fell to Emmanuel Eboue just before the interval. The former Arsenal
player burst through on goal but hit his shot straight at Diego Lopez's
legs.

Sneijder, unimpressive in the first
45 minutes against his former club, was removed at half-time and
replaced by defender Gokhan Zan – a move which saw Fatih Terim's side
switch to a back three, with Eboue pushing up to right midfield.

Struggle: Didier Drogba led the line for the visitors

Three and easy: Gonzalo Higuain scored the third with a glancing header

The tactical change did not help the
visitors' attacking ambitions, and they went on to pose even less of a
threat after the break as they had before it.

Madrid also dropped their intensity
in the second period. Ronaldo and Di Maria both had chances to test
Muslera, the better of which fell to the Argentinian, but the goalkeeper
had little trouble with either effort.

Higuain came on for Benzema on 65
minutes and seven minutes later made the triumph secure when he headed
in a free-kick from Xabi Alonso.

Rough and tumble: Sergio Ramos (left) drags Didier Drogba to the floor in the second half

Jose Mourinho's side rode out the
final minutes of the game with little trouble. Alonso and Ramos both
picked up yellow cards which mean they will miss the second leg.

Achieving victory was much lighter
work for Madrid than their two hard-fought games with Manchester United
in the previous round but, barring a complete collapse in Istanbul, they
can be confident of reaching their third consecutive Champions League
semi-final under Mourinho.

Putting out fires: Sami Khedira (right) and Ramos tackle Burak Yilmaz

Over you go: Ronaldo hits the deck after Semih Kaya (centre) backs into the Portugal forward

France 0 Spain 1: match report – Pedro scores as Paul Pogba is sent off

Posted on March 27, 2013 by adminsports

France 0 Spain 1: Pedro steals the glory in Paris as ex-United man Pogba sees red

PUBLISHED:

21:51 GMT, 26 March 2013

UPDATED:

22:10 GMT, 26 March 2013

Pedro scored the only goal of the game as Spain closed the gap on Group I leaders France.

Spain's returning playmaker, Xavi, created the opening with an outstanding ball to Nacho Monreal. The Arsenal left back found the incoming Pedro, who put the ball past Hugo Lloris.

Raphael Varane had a golden opportunity to equalise when Victor Valdes flapped at a corner, but the Real Madrid wonderkid could not get the ball under control in time to slide the ball into the empty net.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who was outrstanding on his second performance for his country, was sent off for two yellow cards in as many minutes with just over 20 minutes to play.

More to follow…

One up: Pedro wheels away in celebration after putting Spain in the lead

Just about: Hugo Lloris (left) can't keep out Pedro's second-half effort

Futile: Hugo Lloris watches as the ball bounces over the line

MATCH FACTS

France: Lloris, Jallet (Giroud 90), Koscielny, Varane, Evra, Cabaye (Menez 70), Matuidi, Pogba, Valbuena, Ribery, Benzema (Sissoko 82)

Subs Not Used: Mandanda, Fanni, Sakho, Yanga-Mbiwa, Gonalons, Remy, Payet, Clichy, Landreau

Sent off: Pogba (78)

Booked: Cabaye, Matuidi, Pogba

Spain: Valdes, Arbeloa, Pique, Sergio Ramos, Monreal, Alonso, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta (Mata 90), Villa (Jesus Navas 61), Pedro (Fabregas 76)

Subs Not Used: Reina, Albiol, Javi Garcia, Azpilicueta, Negredo, Isco, Cazorla, De Gea

Booked: Xavi, Fabregas, Arbeloa

Goal: Pedro 58

Attendance: 80,000

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

Marching orders: Paul Pogba picked up two yellow cards in as many minutes after Pedro opened the scoring

You're surrounded: Karim Benzema (centre) tries to weave his way past three Spain defenders

Big chance: Franck Ribery (left) tries to sneak the ball underneath Victor Valdes

Booked: Xavi remonstrates with the referee as he is given a yellow card

Mature: Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba played in the middle for France

Block: Patrice Evra chases down Barcelona striker David Villa

Karim Benzema ruled out of France v Spain clash after speeding offence

Posted on March 1, 2013 by adminsports

Spain judiciary hand national team a boost after summoning Benzema over 134mph speeding offence… on day of France clash

By
Pete Jenson

PUBLISHED:

13:59 GMT, 1 March 2013

UPDATED:

14:07 GMT, 1 March 2013

Offence: Karim Benzema was caught speeding at 134mph

Offence: Karim Benzema was caught speeding at 134mph earlier this year

The Spanish judiciary has done the nation's football team a favour by telling speeding Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema he must appear in court on March 26 – the same day France play Spain in Paris in a vital World Cup qualifier.

Benzema was caught doing 134 mph on Madrid's M40 ring road in the early hours of February 3 – twice the speed limit.

He was meant to appear last Tuesday but asked for a postponement because he was in Real Madrid's squad to play Barcelona in the Cup.

Spanish boost: The Real Madrid striker will miss his country's qualifier

Spanish boost: The Real Madrid striker will miss France's World Cup qualifier

Now he will need to explain to France
boss Didier Deschamps that instead of being at Stade de France in Paris
he will be answering to his fourth traffic misdemeanor in the
three-and-a-half seasons he has been at Real Madrid.

He was fined for dangerous driving in Ibiza in 2011, involved in a Lamborghini accident on Reunion Island in 2009, and he drove into a tree on the way home from his first clasico in 2009.

The player could face between three and six months prison sentence although a hefty fine and a driving ban of between one and four years is more likely.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores twice as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-3

Posted on January 7, 2013 by adminsports

Ronaldo brace seals Real win as Mourinho forced into using Casillas after Adan red

By
Joseph Wilson, Associated Press

PUBLISHED:

19:44 GMT, 6 January 2013

UPDATED:

20:07 GMT, 6 January 2013

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals in a three-minute span to give 10-man Real Madrid a 4-3 win over Real Sociedad on Sunday, after coach Jose Mourinho's decision to drop goalkeeper Iker Casillas almost backfired for a second straight game.

Despite heavy criticism after last round's loss, Mourinho again started rarely used Antonio Adan, but the keeper was sent off after giving away an early penalty.

Casillas then came on but couldn't stop Xabi Prieto's resulting spot kick to cancel out Karim Benzema's opener, and it was 2-2 at halftime after Prieto leveled again following Sami Khedira's goal.

At the double: Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring one of his two

Ronaldo scored on the break in the 68th before hitting the winner from a free kick in the 70th. But Prieto wasn't done and scored his hat trick in the 76th to keep the wild shootout in doubt until the final whistle.

Madrid's first victory in three games left it in third place, 13 points behind leader Barcelona and four points behind Atletico Madrid before their games later.

The crowd at Santiago Bernabeu stadium voiced its displeasure with Mourinho's continued benching of Casillas by jeering the coach's name when it was announced before the game and cheering for their beloved star.

Seeing red: Referee Ignacio Iglesias sends off Real Madrid's goalkeeper Adan after six minutes

Time for a change: Iker Casillas gets ready to replace Adan after his red card

Madrid's fans, however, couldn't have asked for a better start just two minutes in when Sociedad's unbalanced defense left Benzema unmarked to receive Khedira's pass and slot beyond the stranded Claudio Bravo.

But Madrid's lead didn't last long when Mourinho's choice in goal again proved misguided.

Adan was overwhelmed last round when he conceded three goals in the loss at Malaga, and he was soon shown to be out of his depths at home as well.

The regular backup made a poor pass that Carlos Vela intercepted, and he then charged out and tackled the Mexico forward in his box.

He shoots, he scores: Ronaldo scores for Real

The referee didn't hesitate to show him a direct red card, creating the dramatic situation of Casillas being called off the bench to defend the penalty try.

The crowd chanted 'Iker! Iker!; as the Spanish international jogged on, but there were no heroics as Prieto coolly stroked in the spot kick to equalize in the ninth.

Despite being short a man, Madrid pressed forward and deservedly went in front in the 35th through Khedira's crafty back-heeled flip to redirect a cross between the posts.
Prieto beat Casillas to restore parity at 2-2 five minutes later when he pounced on a rebound inside the area.

Goal time: Karim Benzema celebrates his goal

But Ronaldo gave Madrid control of the match when Benzema stole the ball in midfield and played the Portugal winger behind the defense for him to score.

Ronaldo then earned a free kick on the left corner of the area and blasted the ball over goalkeeper Claudio Bravo for his 16th goal in the league this season.

Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain went on as a substitute for his first action since being sidelined for two months with a leg injury and quickly found the woodwork.

Prieto appeared to give Sociedad a late hope when he shot inside the far post, but Sociedad never threatened again after Daniel Estrada was booked for a second time, leaving the visitors with 10 men for the final 10 minutes.

Lionel Messi scores two but Radamel Falcao shows Chelsea his class as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid

Posted on December 17, 2012 by adminsports

Messi double takes him up to 90 – that's more than Liverpool in all of 2012 – after Falcao stunner showed Chelsea his class

UPDATED:

22:44 GMT, 16 December 2012

Lionel Messi scored two goals for the seventh consecutive match he has started to help Barcelona strike a potentially decisive blow in the La Liga title race.

The Catalan giants romped to a 4-1 victory at home to second-placed Atletico Madrid to move nine points clear at the top.

Defending champions Real Madrid are 13 points behind after they were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw at home by lowly Espanyol.

Magic: Lionel Messi once again left everyone else in the shade as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid

Tito Vilanova's unbeaten leaders fought back after Radamel Falcao gave Atletico a deserved lead with the cutest of finishes.

It was the least the visitors deserved for an impressive start in which they caused problems on the break, an approach which yielded the opener, the Colombian's 17th of the season.

Five minutes later, Barca were back in the game thanks to a thunderous shot from Adriano, who cut in from the right flank and fired in off the underside of the crossbar.

Atletico were struggling to break out of the area before halftime, and when they failed to clear a corner, Busquets calmly stroked home the second.

Touch of class: Radamel Falcao shoeed Chelsea fans what they could enjoy with a stunning chipped finish

After the break, Messi slotted a third into the corner and then pounced on an error at the end for his 25th in La Liga and 90th for club and country in 2012.

Earlier, Espanyol substitute Juan Albin stunned Real with an 88th-minute equaliser as the Barcelona-based side grabbed an unlikely draw at the Bernabeu.

The Uruguayan forward bundled the ball in after Real failed to clear a corner, and whistles rang around the ground as the teams filed off the pitch at the end.

Karim Benzema was left in the stands with an ankle injury, and Cristiano Ronaldo started in the centre-forward position, but for all their possession Real struggled in the first half.

Feeling the heat: Cristiano Ronaldo scored again for Real Madrid, but they let slip late on against Espanyol

Visiting striker Sergio Garcia, a Euro 2008 winner with Spain, sprinted clear to net past Iker Casillas in the 31st minute.

Luka Modric crashed a shot against the post, but just as the Bernabeu was getting restless Sami Khedira crossed and Ronaldo stuck out a foot to level in the 45th minute.

Ronaldo's reverse pass picked out Fabio Coentrao's driving run, and the Portugal defender put Real ahead with his first league goal for the club, soon after the re-start.

A fingertip save and the woodwork prevented a quick third for Real, but Espanyol continued to threaten and Albin made them pay for failing to finish off the job.

Manchester City exit is players" fault, says Joe Hart

Posted on November 22, 2012 by adminsports

Hart knows City flops make take responsibility for another early Champions League exit

UPDATED:

23:21 GMT, 21 November 2012

Joe Hart said Manchester City only had themselves to blame as their Champions League hopes came to an end with a 1-1 draw at home to Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium.

Karim Benzema struck the opening goal for the Spanish champions and Real should have had more in a devastating spell but City grew in confidence as the match wore on and Sergio Aguero levelled from the spot after Alvaro Arbeloa was sent off for a second yellow card.

Early exit: Manchester City have again been kicked out of the Champions League at the group stage

City poured forward in search of a winner against their 10-man opposition in the closing stages but it was not to be and the result leaves the Barclays Premier League champions with just three points in Group D and unable to progress.

'We're very disappointed. We've had a few opportunities in this group when we could have done a lot better,' England goalkeeper Hart told Sky Sports 2. 'All the games have cost us. We've lost our two away games and not won at home.

'We led in Amsterdam and led in Madrid. It's been a disappointing campaign. We've surprised ourselves in a very, very bad way in this competition.'

The visitors went ahead early on as Benzema peeled away from Maicon to turn in a curling deep cross from Angel di Maria at close range, despite City having plenty of players back in defence.

The goal typified what has been a hugely disappointing campaign for City, and manager Roberto Mancini admitted his side had been below-par on too many occasions.

'The first chance they had, they scored. We made a mistake. We were five against two in the box. When you concede like this it is always difficult,' the Italian told Sky Sports 2. The first half we played so so. We missed one or two chances.

'But we didn't lose tonight, we lost in the first few games – in Madrid we were 2-1 up with five minutes to go; in Amsterdam we were 1-0 ahead and missed some chances to close the game.

'I am disappointed like everyone here. We did some mistakes. When we started this group we knew it was difficult.

Lifeline: Sergio Aguero tucked home a penalty late on, but City didn't have enough time

'But we are a good team. You can lose against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, but we are disappointed – we wanted to go to the next stage. Now it's finished, we can do nothing.'

Mancini also dismissed speculation that City may prefer to finish bottom of their pool following their final group match in Dortmund, rather than take third place ahead of Ajax and with it a place in the often maligned Europa League.

'We want to be in the Europa League, if it is possible,' he said.

For Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, the stalemate meant his side would go into the last 16 as the runners-up in Group D behind Borussia Dortmund, but the Portuguese was unfazed by that prospect.

'The only two times I finished second in the group, I won the champions League,' he told Sky Sports 2. 'It means something (to finish top), but my experience is, it doesn't mean so much.'

Real deal: Jose Mourinho had the last laugh, dumping City out as he had promised pre-match

Mourinho was also asked for his take on events at former club Chelsea on the day that Roberto Di Matteo was sacked and replaced by Rafael Benitez on an interim basis until the end of the season.

'That's football,' Mourinho said. 'I'm never happy when a manager is sacked. It can happen to me and is a feeling that no one likes to have.

“But at the same time, everyone knows I like Chelsea.

'I supported Roberto and I wished him to do well, and I will support the next chelsea manager.'

Cristiano Ronaldo fails to fire in Real romp but Lionel Messi hits 100 mark with brace in Barcelona win

Posted on November 18, 2012 by adminsports

Ronaldo fails to fire in Real win but Messi hits 100 mark with brace for Barca

UPDATED:

00:01 GMT, 18 November 2012

Cristiano Ronaldo drew a rare blank but Real Madrid still enjoyed a comprehensive 5-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Division on Saturday.

It was unclear whether Real's first goal came from Karim Benzema or an own goal from the unfortunate Jon Aurtenetxe, but there was never any doubt about the result which took Jose Mourinho's side back to within eight points of leaders Barcelona, who had seen off Real Zaragoza earlier in the evening.

Rare sight: Cristiano Ronaldo failed to score

Sergio Ramos made it 2-0 after 30 minutes and Benzema made absolutely sure of getting his name on the scoresheet with a superb finish soon after, while Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira also got in on the act at the Bernabeu.

Lionel Messi had scored twice and set up a maiden Barcelona goal for Alex Song as the Catalan giants powered to 3-1 victory over Zaragoza.

Messi took his season tally for Barcelona to 22 in all competitions with strikes in 16th and 60th minutes while he also turned provider in the 28th minute to help summer signing Song open his account for the club.

Deadly: Lionel Messi scores third goal

Song's goal put Barca back in front after Zaragoza had drawn level through Paco Montanes.

Messi has now scored 78 goal this year, seven shy of Gerd Mller's record, and been involved in more than 100 goals for club and country.

Espanyol slipped to the bottom of the league after a controversial defeat at Valencia which saw them end the game with nine men.

Jonathan Viera gave the home side the lead on 15 minutes but Samuele Longo equalised on the half-hour mark and the visitors looked like clinging on for a welcome point.

Not impressed: Real boss Jose Mourinho

However, Hector Moreno was adjudged to have handled in the area three minutes from time and after Moreno and Sergio Garcia were sent off for protesting to the referee, Roberto Soldado drilled home the penalty.

Another 11 players were booked in an ill-tempered game which will have done little to boost Espanyol manager Mauricio Pochettino's chances of holding onto his job.

Elsewhere, Malaga's winless streak stretched to four games as they played out a goalless draw against resolute Osasuna at El Sadar.

Hugo Lloris sends message to Spurs with penalty save against Spain

Posted on October 17, 2012 by adminsports

Lloris message for AVB while Arsenal's Giroud nets in France fightback

UPDATED:

23:23 GMT, 16 October 2012

Olivier Giroud's header deep into stoppage time salvaged a deserved draw for France against world champions Spain in Madrid and ended the hosts' run of 24 consecutive qualifying victories.

Sergio Ramos had fired home after his initial effort had come off the post in the 26th minute to give Spain the lead but they were left to rue Cesc Fabregas' missed penalty just before half-time.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris can barely get a game for Spurs at the moment due to the form of team-mate and rival Brad Friedel, but France's captain sent a message back to Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas with a fine stop from Fabregas's strike.

All smiles: France captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (left) celebrates the draw in Spain

Karim Benzema and Moussa Sissoko looked to have squandered France's best chances to claim a point as they missed clear openings late on but with the last attack of the game Franck Ribery crossed for Giroud to head low into the far corner.

The striker has also been struggling to impose himself at Arsenal following his summer move to England from Montpellier, but he proved his predatory instincts with a deadly header.

The draw means that both sides remain locked together at the top of Group I with seven points from three games.

As expected Vicente del Bosque had made just the one change from the side that started the 4-0 victory over Belarus on Friday as Andres Iniesta replaced Santi Cazorla, but the Arsenal midfielder was forced into action after just 10 minutes when David Silva had to come off with an injury.

Cazorla even had the first effort on goal after a slow start but his low drive was easily held by Hugo Lloris, but French boss Didier Deschamps will have been hugely frustrated that after comfortably soaking up the hosts' usual probing they conceded such a sloppy goal from a set-piece midway through the half.

Tres bon: Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud (left) celebrates his goal with France team-mate Blaise Matuidi

Xavi's corner found Ramos completely unmarked just six yards from goal and after his initial header came back off the post, the defender was on hand to turn the ball high into the net when Pedro pulled it back across the area.

The goal though forced France forward and they were very nearly level 10 minutes later when Benzema was released by Ribery but his cross-shot could not beat his Real Madrid teammate Iker Casillas as the Spain captain turned the ball behind for a corner.

France threatened again moments later when Jeremy Menez was ruled narrowly offside when he prodded in Benzema's knock down from Yohan Cabaye's free-kick, but the visitors were then thankful to Lloris to only be 1-0 down at the break.

The Tottenham goalkeeper first produced a fine save down to his right to parry Fabregas' penalty after Laurent Koscielny had clattered into Pedro inside the area and three minutes later the French skipper saved his side again as he denied fierce efforts from Pedro and Fabregas inside the area.

Paying the penalty: Cesc Fabregas saw this spot kick saved by Lloris in the France goal

Spain's start to the second period was disrupted just as it was in the first by an early injury as this time Alvaro Arbeloa limped off, replaced by Juanfran, and that change seemed to give Ribery some encouragement as he attacked with far more purpose than he had before the break.

The Bayern Munich playmaker saw a shot deflected just wide on 58 minutes before Koscielny failed to make a clean connection to turn in the resulting corner.

Fabregas and Xavi then had chances to seal the points but both were denied by last ditch French defending as they bore down on goal.

Benzema really ought to have brought Deschamps' men level as he somehow miscued from Ribery's fantastic cross with the goal at his mercy from five yards.

Worrying: Manchester City midfielder David Silva (right) hobbled off injured after just 10 minutes

France continued to threaten though with Benzema's movement in particular causing all sorts of problems and he teed up another great chance for substitute Sissoko 17 minutes from time but the Toulouse midfielder blazed his volley over.

Benzema was eventually forced off himself with a knock two minutes from the end but it turned out to be a fortunate change for Deschamps as, with his only real involvement in the game, Giroud delicately directed Ribery's pinpoint cross into the net.

Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2 – match report

Posted on October 8, 2012 by adminsports

Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2: Anything you can do… Messi and Ronaldo share the goals in Clasico thriller

UPDATED:

19:59 GMT, 7 October 2012

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo matched each other blow for blow at the Nou Camp, bagging two goals apiece as Barcelona and Real Madrid battled out an entertaining draw in the first Clasico of the Primera Division season.

Tito Vilanova's Barca headed into the game eight points clear of their arch rivals and boasting a 100 per cent record from their first six matches, but found themselves trailing midway through the first half when Ronaldo netted for the sixth straight Clasico.

Anything you can do: Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi shared four goals as Real Madrid and Barcelona drew

MATCH FACTS

BARCELONA: Valdes; Alves (Montoya 28), Mascherano, Adriano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Fabregas (Sanchez 64), Messi, Pedro. Subs not used: Pinto, Bartra, Song, Roberto, Villa

Goals: Messi 31, 61

Booked: Pedro, Busquets

REAL MADRID: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Alonso; Ronaldo, Ozil (Kaka 81), Di Maria; Benzema (Higuain 62). Subs not used: Adan, Albiol, Coentrao, Essien, Modric, Higuain

Goals: Ronaldo 23, 66

Booked: Alonso, Khedira, Pepe

But Messi equalised with a scrappy
goal soon after and then put the hosts ahead with a stunning free-kick
on the hour, only for Ronaldo to capitalise on sloppy defending midway
through the second half to ensure honours ended even.

Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta was
handed his first start since the Supercopa aggregate defeat against Real
in August, while Adriano partnered Javier Mascherano at centre-back
with Gerard Pique (foot) and Carles Puyol (dislocated elbow) sidelined.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho made three
changes from the team that won 4-1 at Ajax in the Champions League on
Wednesday, with Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria replacing
Michael Essien, Kaka and Jose Callejon.

The visitors began brightly and created the better of the early chances.

First blood: Ronaldo struck the first blow when he unleashed a fierce drive inside the near post

Ronaldo – scorer of a midweek
hat-trick in Amsterdam, and the winner in this corresponding fixture
last term to virtually assure Madrid the title – crossed from the right
for Karim Benzema, who miscued his volley horribly wide from 12 yards
when left unmarked in the 13th minute.

Six minutes later, Ozil sent over a
corner and Sergio Ramos leapt above the Barca defence only to direct his
header inches wide of Victor Valdes' goal.

The warning signs had been there but
Barca failed to heed them and the opener duly arrived midway through the
first half. Benzema turned neatly on the edge of the box and fed
Ronaldo, who lashed home a low left-footed finish which beat Valdes at
his near post.

Back on terms: It didn't take long for Messi to haul his side back on level terms from close range...

Back on terms: It didn't take long for Messi to haul his side back on level terms from close range…

Back on terms: It didn't take long for Messi to haul his side back on level terms from close range...

...but Real Madrid cried foul after Pepe ended up on his backside in the build up to the equaliser

…but Real Madrid cried foul after Pepe ended up on his backside in the build up to the equaliser

It could have been 2-0 moments later
when Khedira burst down the right before feeding Benzema. The Frenchman
spooned his effort against the post, though, and Di Maria sent the
rebound wide with the goal at his mercy.

The home team suffered a further blow
when Dani Alves' involvement ended in the game after 28 minutes, the
Brazilian replaced by Martin Montoya.

Big claim: There were several penalty shouts waved away, notably when Andres Iniesta hit the deck after the break

However, two minutes later they were
level. Madrid failed to clear their lines from Pedro Rodriguez's cross
and, after bobbling around in the area the ball fell kindly to Messi in
the six-yard box and he lashed past a helpless Iker Casillas and into
the roof of the net.

Both sides had decent penalty shouts
turned down at the start of the second half, Ozil going down after
contact with Mascherano before Iniesta appeared to be clipped by Pepe.

Vilanova's team took the lead in
spectacular style on the hour mark, Messi picking himself up after being
fouled by Xabi Alonso and despatching a brilliant left-footed free-kick
up over the wall and curling away from the diving Casillas.

Stunning: Messi produced the goal of the night when he shaped a glorious freekick up and into the net

Whatever Messi could do, though,
Ronaldo could do too, and swiftly matched the Argentina forward's eight
goals in La Liga this term six minutes later.

Ozil slotted a slick pass through to
the Portuguese, who had been played onside by Adriano and coolly slotted
past Valdes to get Madrid back on level terms.

The final quarter was end-to-end stuff, although Mourinho's men were seemingly the more content with the point.

Right place: Ronaldo showed his class again after springing the offside trap, despite Victor Valdes' protests

Messi floated a shot high and wide from Jordi Alba's cut-back, with Iniesta's cross scrambled clear by Marcelo soon after.

Gonzalo Higuain, a 62nd-minute
replacement for Benzema, saw his cross deflected to safety by Mascherano
before the final few minutes were played out almost entirely in
Madrid's defensive third.

Montoya was almost an unlikely
match-winner on 88 minutes but his right-footed attempt from the edge of
the box crashed back off the bar, before Pedro burst through in
stoppage time and unleashed a left-footed shot which flew just wide.

Special occasion: Barcelona fans used the match as a chance to call for independence for Catalunya

LIVE: Barcelona v Real Madrid – El Clasico action as it happens

Posted on October 7, 2012 by adminsports

LIVE: Barcelona v Real Madrid – follow all the El Clasico action as it happens

UPDATED:

18:41 GMT, 7 October 2012

Sportsmail brings you live coverage of the first 'El Clasico' clash of the season between Spanish heavyweights Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be on show as hosts Barca look to stretch their eight-point lead over reigning La Liga champions Real.

HT: Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 1

Barcelona: Valdes; Alves (Montoya 28), Mascherano, Adriano, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Fabregas, Messi, Pedro.

Subs not used: Pinto, Bartra, Song, Roberto, Sanchez, Villa.

Goal: Messi 31.

Booked: Pedro.

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Alonso; Ronaldo, Ozil, Di Maria; Benzema.

Subs not used: Adan, Albiol, Coentrao, Essien, Modric, Kaka, Higuain.

Goal: Ronaldo 23.

Booked: Alonso.

HALF-TIME: The referee brings to an end a rather scrappy yet immensely gripping first half. Madrid have picked off Barca extremely well on the break and had four glorious chances in the opening half an hour, only one of which was taken – by Ronaldo. Messi's equaliser came courtesy of a defensive howler from Pepe and kickstarted a spell of dominance for the hosts, though they have struggled to find the final ball and often been crowded out on the edge of Real's area. Both sides will be looking to improve in the second half – which promises to be a cracker.

43 mins: Apart their fine finishes, Ronaldo and Messi have both been very quiet tonight. It's been a midfield battle between the likes of Busquets and Alonso – who has just picked up Madrid's first card.

40 mins: Pedro is booked for catching Ramos with a high foot. /10/07/article-2214191-15661B28000005DC-967_634x382.jpg” width=”634″ height=”382″ alt=”Lone ranger: Ronaldo (left) celebrates his goal as his team-mates watch on” class=”blkBorder” />

Lone ranger: Ronaldo (left) celebrates his goal as his team-mates watch on

29 mins: Two corners in quick succession for Barca… it comes to nothing. The home side have really not been at the races so far tonight and are being picked off on the break with ease.

28 mins: Barca's defensive injury crisis worsens as Alves hobbles off to be replaced by young right back Martin Montoya.

27 mins: Real could be four up here. Will they be made to pay for their profligacy

25 mins: Sitter!!! Di Maria puts it on a plate for Benzema just 10 yards out but the striker fluffs his lines, the ball hitting his standing leg again and striking the post. It was practically an open goal!

Sitter: Ramos reacts after heading wide from 12 yards

GOAL!!! Barcelona 0 Real Madrid 1 (Ronaldo)

Who else… Real break with purpose, not for the first time, and Benzema slides in Ronaldo, who fires home low left-footed shot that beats Valdes at his near post. Alves should have shut him down quicker there and Valdes hardly covered himself in glory either.

21 mins: Iniesta has Barca's first shot in anger, curling high and wide from 20 yards out.

19 mins: Real force the first corner of the game… Miss!!! Ramos should have buried that – a free header on the penalty spot but it's wide.

15 mins: Unsurprisingly, Pepe is the first player to be found guilty of play-acting after he is caught on the ball by Fabregas – the big defender was lucky to get the free-kick there.

13 mins: Chance! Ozil finds Benzema at the back post cutting in from the right to cross but the big Frenchman completely miscues his volley, the ball hitting his standing leg and nearly going out for a throw in.

Protest: Those calling for Catalan independence show their support at Camp Nou

11 mins: Sergio Busquets is lucky to escape a booking as he pulls back a breaking Di Maria.

8 mins: Adriano is nearly caught dallying on the ball by Khedira on the edge of his box and he's rushed into a sliced clearance.

4 mins: Both teams have started at break-neck speed. Real look like giants out there against what is an even smaller than usual Barca line-up.

2 min: Adriano is indeed alongside Mascherano at the back. Ronaldo has started on the left for Real with Di Maria on the right.

1 min: Hold on to your hats, we're off…

6.48pm: Incredible scenes as 98,000 home fans hold aloft cards to display the image of Catalonia's La Senyera flag – this one is as politically-charged as they get.

High hopes: Roanldo is challenged by Dani Alves

6.46pm: A couple of interesting side-plots to the action on the pitch today are Jose Mourinho and Tito Vilanova squaring up for the first time and the Catalan independence protest that is set to take place throughout the game…

6.44pm: Real have no such injury problems and are able to field what is probably their strongest line-up. Expect Angel Di Maria, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo to interchange positions behind Karim Benzema, who will no doubt be asked to rough-up the lightweight centre back pairing of Mascherano and Adriano.

6.39pm: Barca, beset by injuries, are forced to line up Adriano – normally a left back or left winger – alongside Javier Mascherano at centre back. That move comes after captain Carles Puyol broke his arm in midweek, adding to a defensive injury list that already contained Gerard Pique and Eric Abidal.

6.34pm: Just six games into the season and this is already looking like a must-win for Real Madrid – defeat and they're 11 points behind their main rivals. They can take heart from the fact that they won here in the league last year though.

6.30pm: As I'm sure you all know our live coverage is centred around English Premier League clubs, but we've made an exception tonight as we bring you coverage of 'El Clasico'… can you blame us

Star performers: Barcelona's Messi (left) and Real's Ronaldo

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LIVE: Barcelona v Real Madrid – El Clasico action as it happens