Ronaldo leave it late to spoil Cruyff tribute at the Camp Nou on Saturday to win El Clasico and end their rivals’ 39-game unbeaten streak.
But, who are the real game changers?
GOAL KEEPERS
Claudio Bravo
Almost fumbled a Bale throw in the first half, but recovered well. He wobbled after the break, though, even if he wasn’t responsible for either of the goals. Was caught out making poor decisions when coming off of his line a couple of times.
Ratings: 6.69
Keylor Navas
One outstanding save from Messi when the game was still goalless. Also made some other, more comfortable stops. Little he could have done about Pique’s header.
Ratings: 6.92
DEFENDERS
Dani Alves
He did a good job on Cristiano Ronaldo until the final 20 minutes when he lost out to the Portuguese forward, who cut inside him to score the winner. Missed a half decent chance in the first half, too.
Ratings: 6.45
Dani Carvajal
A reliable performance from a reliable right-back. Wasn’t a stand out display, but will have been happy to see Neymar remain fairly quiet despite starting the game brightly.
Ratings: 6.63
Gerard Pique
Read the game well to snuff out the ocassional Madrid danger in the first half, before heading Barça into the lead from a corner. Immediately after his goal, he remained alert to put out more fires at the back.
Ratings: 8.20
Sergio Ramos:
He was booked for complaining to the referee, but was let off the hook moments later when he challenged Messi on the edge of the area. The referee said nothing doing, but it could have gone either way. A foul on Suarez in the second half was called up, but the yellow card remained in the referee’s pocket. He was, though, eventually sent off, picking up his deserved second booking for another foul on Suarez. Ratings: 5.66
Javier Mascherano:
One wild challenged on Bale was punished with a yellow card, but fortunately Ronaldo’s free kick sailed over the bar. One great block on Ronaldo in the second half as well, but wasn’t his best game.
Ratings: 6.31
Pepe:
Was lucky not to go in the book early on for a late challenge on Busquets and completely lost Pique for the opening goal. Almost added a third for Madrid when he found himself roaming forward late on, but he ran out of gas.
Ratings: 6.36
Jordi Alba:
Really struggled. Left too much space for Madrid’s first goal and was sloppy in the build up to their second. Moment before then the referee sided in his favour, ruling out a Bale goal for a foul on the left-back. It was extremely harsh on the Welshman, although it was a mis-match in the air between those two.
Ratings: 6.09
Marcelo:
Benzema’s goal was largely down to the Brazilian. He drove inside and passed to Kroos, who created the chance which Benzema gobbled up. Was not fantastic defensively, but Barça were unable to exploit his weaknesses.
Ratings: 6.54
MIDFIELDERS
Sergio Busquets:
Played himself out of a couple of tricky situations close to his own penalty area with a ridiculous levels of calm. However, he couldn’t prevent Barça losing their focus and losing the game.
Ratings: 6.77
Casemiro:
Chosen over Isco and James Rodriguez as a more defensive option and Zinedine Zidane was proven right to do so. He performed well and didn’t fumble.
Ratings: 7.71
Ivan Rakitic:
Worked hard – going forward and defending – but offered little quality. Was taken off for Arda Turan.
Ratings: 7.31
Luka Modric:
Has that little bit of quality on the ball that is lacking in Zidane’s side. Was involved in the build up to the opening goal and kept Madrid ticking throughout. He was much better in the second half than the first.
Ratings: 6.89
Andres Iniesta:
Had one shot blocked in the first half and embarked on a couple of lively runs, but was not overly involved. Couldn’t kick Barça back into life as they tried to wake up after Madrid got back into the game.
Ratings: 6.61
Toni Kroos: Great run forward to join in the attack which led to the equaliser, even if his cross needed a deflection. Benefitted from the protection offered by Casemiro. It’s not been a great campaign for the German, but his performance was a little better.
Ratings: 6.68
FORWARDS
Lionel Messi:
A very subdued performance by his standards. Could have had a penalty when he breezed past Ramos in the first half, but the referee said no. Was wasteful with a couple of free kicks. His best chance was an outrageous chip from the edge of the area which Navas tipped behind for a corner.
Ratings: 6.67
Gareth Bale:
Was in and out of the game, but causes problems with his pace and athleticism down the right-hand side yet again, with Cristiano profiting on this occasion! especially when driving through the middle. He also, bizarrely, seems to have become his side’s long throw specialist. Had a goal incorrectly ruled out for a foul on Alba, but reacted well to set up the winner for Ronaldo.
Ratings: 7.61
Neymar (6):
Created a great chance for Suarez and always a threat with his pace. On a couple of occasions his decision making was lacking, but he seemed more likely to do anything than most of his team-mates.
6.48
Cristiano Ronaldo:
When Alba was caught fouling a Madrid player in the Madrid box, few would have expected that man to be Ronaldo. That’s just one example of his work rate in this game, though, which he was clearly desperate to win. Quality wise, however, he was lacking. Until the last 20 minutes. He had a shot saved blocked by Mascerano, hit the crossbar and then, after Madrid had been reduced to 10 men, showed great composure to cut inside Alves and strike the winner in what could be his LAST ever clasico.
Ratings: 8.00
Luis Suarez (5):
Last season’s Camp Nou Clasico was all about him, but the first half of this one was all about his miss. With the goal gaping, he mis-kicked Neymar’s pull back from six yards out and the ball bobbled behind for a goal kick. Wasn’t his finest night and, despite his effort, he was unable to make up for his mistake.
Ratings: 6.17
Karim Benzema:
Where was the Benzema that has been so effective this season? Looked a shadow of himself in the first half. Slipped over on several occassions and wasted Madrid’s best chance of the first half, blazing over when the ball bounced to him by the penalty spot. However, he wasn’t so wasteful next time, producing fine acrobatic finish to level the scores. Wasn’t too impressed to be taken off soon after.
Ratings: 6.77