As is often the case there was drama in Madrid v Barca.
El Clasico lived up to its name once more at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid and Barcelona played out a cracker.
In the end Barca earned an important three points through a Lionel Messi hat-trick, but that was only after Sergio Ramos had been sent off.
The 3-4 scoreline was made up of three penalties and some fine goals from Messi, Andres Iniesta and Karim Benzema.
Here’s how the Madrid players rated:
Diego Lopez – 6
Little the goalkeeper could do about any of the goals as Lionel Messi got going and dragged Barca back into the game and to a vital three points in the title race.
Daniel Carvajal – 6
Was defensively caught out for Andres Iniesta’s opener and whilst the rest of the Madrid back four were sturdy for most of the game, the young right-back was not.
Pepe – 7
Up until the red card was marshaling the defence brilliantly and was keeping an often rampant Catalan attack at bay, but the sending off changed all of that.
Sergio Ramos – 5
Was back in the side after suspension and defended well alongside Pepe before being caught the wrong side of goal and being sent off for bringing down Neymar, which changed the game.
Marcelo – 6
Not to keep banging on a single point but the red card really did disrupt a solid defensive display from the hosts and the Brazil international was also good in attack.
Luka Modric – 7
Classy in the middle of the park and always looked to do something creative when in possession and Modric finally looks at home at the Bernabeu.
Xabi Alonso – 6
Played midweek against Schalke much to many peoples’ surprise and was perhaps a little rusty in this match as a result, bringing down Andres Iniesta for the second penalty.
Angel Di Maria – 8
In the first-half the Argentine was superb, running at the Barca defence and setting up both of Benzema’s efforts with key crosses, but was also guilty of a few silly fouls.
Gareth Bale – 6
Never really got going in the game and was a little isolated on the right as most of the creativity was coming down the left through Di Maria.
Karim Benzema – 8
Missed a couple of chances early on but made up for that and some by bagging two goals in quick succession, before being the man sacrificed when Ramos was sent off.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 7
Worked hard but this was not a Ronaldo masterclass at the Bernabeu, although the Portugal captain did win the penalty and then convert it confidently.
Substitutions:
Raphael Varane – 6
Came on for Benzema after Ramos’ red card and had the unenviable task of trying to keep Barca out, although this was another good learning curve for the youngster.
