Barcelona proved that they are the comeback kings when they made a splendid come back after going down 1 goal in 22 seconds to beat archrivals Real Madrid 3-1 reinstating their top position in La Liga.
This was the seventh and final Clasico of 2011 which was played in Real Madrid’s home ground Santiago Bernabeu as hosts took the lead just 22 seconds after the start of played when Karim Benzema scored the fastest goal in Clasico history.
Visitors were back in action in half hour as 24 years old Alexis Sanchez scored in his first league appearance against Real Madrid to take his side back in the game. Xavi’s volley took a big deflection from Marcelo to become a own goal as visitors took lead before Fabregas’ header finished the scoring for night making it 3-1 for Barcelona.
Victory sends Barcelona on top of La Liga table equalizing their points with archrivals but the head-to head record makes them the top team as Real Madrid have one game in hand.
Match started with a surprise for Barcelona as Karim Benzema grabbed the quickest goal in Clasico history in just 22 seconds to send Real Madrid on top. A poor clearance from Victor Valdes led the ball to feet of Angel Di Maria who drilled ball in Penalty area where Sergio Busquets attempted to make a save before Mesut Ozil’s volley rebounded it to Karim Benzema who would never miss a chance from six yards.
Barcelona was back in match at the half jour mark when Messi, who himself tried a lot to score the equalizer, sent a handy through ball to Alexis Sanchez who scored his first league goal against Real Madrid by giving a fine touch and putting it behind Casillas and bringing his team back in the game. The score remained equal at the end of first half despite of some good attempts from both teams.
After a firing start to the second half, Barcelona came on top thanks to Marcelo’s big deflection to Xavi’s thrilling 25 yard volley which confused Casillas after the deflection and struck the pole to reach in the nets putting Barcelona on top and bringing back some aggression into the home team and the supporters.
Cristiano Ronaldo was the biggest flop of the evening for Real Madrid who had his chances to make some name for himself but he wasted some good and some difficult chances. On of the best chances Ronaldo got when Xabi Alonso’s cross found the Portuguese alone but his header went wide of the goal post.
Madrid paid for missing such a good chance as Barcelona increased their lead in the 66th minute after a breathtaking counter attack. Messi again showed his excellence with a fine assist to Dani Alves who whipped a fine cross for awaiting Cesc Fabregas who headed the ball into the far corner of goal to end the scoring for night.
Real Madrid will now have a trip to Ponferradina on Tuesday (13th Dec) as they look to defend their Copa Del Rey title. Barcelona will now be seen in action in Japan where they will be featuring in a club World Cup semi final where they will face Esperance or Al Sadd on Thursday (15th Dec).
GeoSuper