Messi completes comeback to restore hope in La Liga

There was huge anticipation to this decisive 'Clasico' clash, with a win from the home side practically sentencing the La Liga title in their favour. Barcelona were seeking an uplifting victory after Champions League exit earlier in the week, while Real Madrid were looking to further sink their bitter rivals and increase the gap at the top of La Liga.

Bale was back for the 'Blancos'  after being sidelined due to injury, and Neymar finally did not travel to the Spanish capital, with Barcelona not willing to risk a potential ban for improper alignment. Paco Alcacer took his place in the Barcelona attack.

It was a lively beginning to the match with Real Madrid on the front foot, though the Catalans managed to recompose and get possession. After several chances at both ends, it was Zidane's team who scored the opener. Marcelo received the ball after a Kroos corner kick, and crossed the ball to the back post, with Ramos and Ronaldo waiting. The defender volleyed and his strike hit the inside of the upright, only for the rebound to fall to Casemiro who could not miss.

It was a hard blow for Barcelona, who saw how Casemiro was allowed to continue in the game after many challenges worthy of a second booking. Messi, playing with cotton wool in his mouth due to an accidental elbow for Marcelo, picked up the ball at the edge of the area and danced round Carvajal to finish down low and level the game.

Real Madrid came closer to scoring in the first minutes of the second half, but it was Barcelona who would once again score to turn it around. Rakitic with a superb left-footed strike, which was beyond Navas' reach, despite the keepers excellent performance. Ramos was shown a straight red card for flying in on a dangerous tackle on Messi. From then on, it was mostly Barcelona on the front foot, with Navas keeping his team in the fixture.

Ten-man Real Madrid still managed to equalise after Marcelo crossed low from the byline and James appeared at the near post to fire into the roof of the net. The crowd celebrated as they knew of the importance of the goal, which practically handed the title to the hosts. However, Messi chose the best time to score his 500th Barcelona goal. Jordi Alba pulled the ball back in the area for Messi to curl the ball inside the near post in the 92nd minute.

An amazing 'Clasico' clash, without a doubt one of the best in recent memory, that sends Barcelona to the top of the table, level with Real who have a game in hand.