Barca remain unbeaten
Bale’s 72nd minute strike helps Real hold Catalans
Barcelona, May 7: Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale lashed home to deny La Liga champions Barcelona victory in an ill- tempered ‘ Clasico’ which finished 2- 2 at the Nou Camp on Sunday after the home side had Sergi Roberto sent off at the end of the first half.
Luis Suarez volleyed unbeaten Barca into the lead after 10 minutes following a gut- busting run and cross from Roberto while Cristiano Ronaldo levelled for Champions League finalists Real five minutes later from close range.
However, the Portugal forward’s ankle was trodden on by Gerard Pique in the process and he was substituted at halftime.
Bale had risked getting sent off for raking his studs against Samuel Umtiti’s leg but escaped without a booking on that occasion and Roberto was sent off moments later for hitting Marcelo following an off- the- ball tussle.
Lionel Messi scored a mesmerising, recordextending 26th Clasico goal to put 10- man Barca back in front after 52 minutes but Bale, who had contributed little, silenced the Nou Camp with a thumping strike from the edge of the area in the 72nd.
Champions Barca have 87 points while Real are third in the Liga standings with 72 after 35 games. Atletico Madrid are second on 75 but have played one game more.
EIGHT YELLOWS This was the first ‘ Clasico’ in a decade which had no bearing on the title race but the game was still played with all the usual passion and tension which makes it the most famous club fixture in Europe.
Referee Alejando Hernandez Hernandez showed a total of eight yellow cards as well as the straight red for Roberto.
Bale was eventually booked as was the usually even- tempered Messi, who made an uncharacteristically aggressive challenge on Sergio Ramos after the Real Madrid captain had an ugly confrontation with Luis Suarez which led to both the players getting the yellow cards.