FC Barcelona Beat Real Madrid 2-1 To Move 12 Points Clear In The Title Race

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What a night it was at the Spotify Camp Nou between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Catalan giant has again gotten the best of their arch-rivals in the Spanish league as Barca goes 12 points ahead in the race to be crowned La Liga champions. Before the match, I was confident Barcelona was going to win the match even though they had two of their key players out of the squad list (Pedri and Dembele).

Pedri recently rejoined the squad back in training after suffering from an injury he picked up against Manchester United in the first leg of the round of 32 in the Europa League, many fans including me taught Pedri would be in the squad for the EL Clasico but got disappointed as he was dropped out of the squad as a precaution on his recovery process.

Dembele on the underhand has not been given the medical green light, the medical team does not want to take a risk and wants Dembele to be 100 percent fit before returning to the squad. The starting lineup against Real Madrid was still the same as Xavi continued his four-midfielder tactics with Sergio Busquest, Gavi, De Jong, and Sergio Roberto all on the starting lineup.

Barcelona dominated Real Madrid in all areas, ball possession, shots on target, passes, and ball recoveries. Real Madrid was saved countless times by their goalkeeper who was solid at the goal line. Barcelona conceded an own goal in the early 9th minute of the first half, Vinicius Jr cross was deflected off Barcelona defender Araujo and went into the goalpost.

The Catalan giants struck back in the 45th of the second half, Sergio Roberto fired the loose ball into the goal post after multiple attempts by Raphinha to score but Courtois kept saving the ball. The second half was end to end attack from both teams and in the 81st minute, Real Madrid scored a goal but was later canceled by the VAR for offside.

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Frank Kessie scored the winning goal for Barcelona in the 90+2 minute, a beautiful build-up play by Lewandoski and Balde delivered a cross into the box for Kessie to make a striking finish in front of goal. The referee blew his whistle to signify the end of the match, the Barca players celebrated as they hugged each other with passion.

Last night's match for me was the deciding match of who is going to win the league title. At this point, Barcelona is already the league winner because I don't see how Madrid is going to close down that 12-lead gap. Real Madrid can be the champions in Europe but when it comes to the Spanish league Barcelona would always be their superior and that's a fact.

Barcelona still has a Copa Del Rey match against Real Madrid next month which they lead with one goal on aggregate, Dembele and Pedri will be available for that match and I can bet Barcelona is sending Real Madrid out of the competition. Good game from the boys, millions of Barca fans are happy and the same goes for me too, so guys that will be all, thanks for stopping by, and have a great week.