(Football news) Barcelona have one hand firmly on the La Liga trophy after winning the El Clasico. The lead is now 12 points and with 12 games to go it is almost impossible for Real Madrid to defend their La Liga title. It could’ve been completely different because at one point it looked like Real Madrid would win the game. Both teams didn’t play to the best of their abilities but in the end Barcelona deserved to edge it. Carlo Ancelotti retained the same XI that defeated Liverpool midweek. Rodrygo, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dani Ceballos were left on the bench. Xavi made a big call by starting Sergi Roberto ahead of Franck Kessie, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati.

The game started with Barcelona pressing really high and Real Madrid were having troubles with playing the ball out from the back. Thibaut Courtois made a couple of excellent saves to deny Barcelona and keep it to 0-0 early on. Real Madrid managed to score the opening goal against the run of play. Vinicius Jr played a cross into the box which found its way into the back of the net after a massive deflection off Ronald Araujo. Xavi’s men continued to attack and they finally found the equalizer with the last kick of the first half. Sergi Roberto scored the goal after some scrappy football in Real Madrid’s box. 

At the beginning of the 2nd half, Real Madrid were once again struggling and Ancelotti responded with a double substitution as he brought on Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo to replace Nacho and Toni Kroos. Barcelona were still having a lot of chances while Los Blancos were also attacking on the counter with no end product. The Merengues made a triple change as Aurélien Tchouaméni, Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos came on for Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos and Eduardo Camavinga. Real Madrid started to play better in transition as Barcelona couldn’t keep hold of Rodrygo inside tight spaces. 

In the 81s minute Dani Carvajal assisted Marco Asensio but after a lengthy VAR check it turned out to be marginally offside. The momentum shifted as Barcelona ended up scoring the goal to make it 2-1 via substitute Franck Kessie. Real Madrid threw everything at the end as a draw wouldn’t have been enough for them. Karim Benzema as expected looked unfit and had a terrible outing. The league title is pretty much going to Catalonia unless something drastic happens.

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