Real Madrid’s six-point table lead over Barcelona remains thanks to Sergio Ramos’ heroics near both goal lines, as La Liga’s leaders came back to draw 1-1 at Camp Nou on Saturday in the first El Clasico of the season.
Luis Suarez gave Barca a second-half lead only to see Ramos claw one back and then save a goal at the death.
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It’s no surprise that Ronaldo was lively, and one of his two shots saved by Ter Stegen after a clever dribble inside the 18.
Messi had a moment, too, his free kick dipping around the wall but into the waiting arms of Keylor Navas.
3 - Cristiano Ronaldo had three shots on target in the 1st half of #ElClásico - Barcelona only had one (4 in total). Protagonist. pic.twitter.com/9dMvFczE65
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 3, 2016
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A careful Messi dribble ended with a lofted ball that Luis Suarez chose to trap rather than volley, and Real Madrid killed the chance for a corner kick.
Suarez put Barca up off Neymar’s arrow of a free kick, slightly redirecting the tight-angle shot with his head.
.@LuisSuarez9 sends the Camp Nou into raptures by sticking his noggin on the end of a @neymarjr cross #beINElClasico https://t.co/zj4JJ4T9dk
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 3, 2016
Neymar nearly made it 2-0 in the 68th minute, dribbling through Real’s right side before sailing a shot over Navas and the goal.
Andres Iniesta sprung Messi through in the 82nd minute, but the Argentine dragged his shot wide of goal.
The chances came late for Real, with Sergio Ramos heading a corner just over a leaping Ter Stegen... and the bar. Then Jordi Alba cleared Ronaldo’s in-tight header off the line after Marcelo’s terrific cross.
The equalizer came in the 90th minute, as Ramos rose high to head his chance off a diving Ter Stegen and into the goal. Barca answered with a chance of their own, but Ramos cleared the chance off the line.
.@realmadriden never know when they're beaten! #beINElClasico https://t.co/8mUBWdr7Gb
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 3, 2016