Player Ratings: Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (Agg. 5-4)
Goal.com rates the players on show after yet another tumultuous, but utterly absorbing, Clasico encounter
Víctor Valdés
217
61
Helpless to prevent Ronaldo's equaliser, he could do nothing to stop Benzema leveling the scores despite an initial reflex save. Denied Ronaldo twice and also Ozil as he worked extremely hard to keep Madrid at bay.
Éric Abidal
197
49
A calm and steady operator at the back, he strived to retain possession for his side while also striking up a good attacking rapport with Villa on the left flank.
Javier Mascherano
160
93
Made a few interceptions that got the crowd going, but also showed he is more of a midfielder rather than a defender, as he failed to make Barca appear the most secure of units.
Gerard Piqué
189
53
Was given an difficult evening by the quick movement of the likes of Benzema and Ronaldo, but his evening was defined by a marvelous backheel into the path of Messi to allow him to smoothly convert the second goal on the stroke of halftme.
Daniel Alves
163
120
Was more reserved than normal from an attacking point of view, and it appeared to be a tactical move by Guardiola. The Brazilian remained disciplined and looked to maintain a tight back four - although Madrid were able to create opportunities against him
Andrés Iniesta Luján
245
44
At times his touch and interplay were on another level. His quality was embodied in the goal he scored, latching onto a through ball from Messi he delicately lifted the ball over Casillas and into the far corner.
Sergio Busquets Burgos
128
93
Not the most influential of evenings for the midfielder, who seemed pushed out of stride by the quick pace of the contest. He is not at his best in matches like this, and was the weakest of Barca's midfield three.
Xavi
149
69
Like Busquets, he was not at his influential best. Dished out an uncharacteristically wild tackle on Coentrao, but ultimately emerged on the winning side at the end of a bruising second-half.
David Villa
156
58
Worked hard on the left without too much reward, and didn't get much change out of the Madrid back four for much of the contest. Always willing to selflessly help out the team, though, and his movement often created space for those around him.
Lionel Messi
Top of the Match486
106
What more can be said about the incredible Argentine? Sublime through pass set up Iniesta's opener, his control flicked the second goal into the corner, and his timing allowed him to volley emphatically home in the closing moments.
Pedro
160
59
Gave Coentrao a difficult time as Barca attacked with pace, and almost scored a fabulous goal with a dipping shot that Casillas scrambled to save. Will need to up his game, though to keep Alexis Sanchez on the sidelines.
• Substitutions
Cesc Fàbregas
291
53
Made his Barca bow in the first team - and he will have wished he hadn't bothered, meeting a crunching Marcelo tackle that saw the Brazilian unceremoniously dismissed. However, he did ignite the game winning play
Seydou Keita
123
52
Came on to replace Busquets and shore up the midfield.
Adriano
149
52
Linked wonderfully with Messi to allow the attacker to drive home what proved to be the winner
Iker Casillas
112
68
Left exposed as Iniesta gleefully lobbed the ball over his head, but then made a stunning stop to deny Pedro at the top corner. Perhaps went down too easily when attempting to block Messi's goal, however, allowing the Argentine to chip the ball over him.
Fabio Coentrao
85
83
Given a start at left-back, the first time he has featured in that role for his new club, and was left exposed to the pace of Pedro on more than one occasion. Was switched infield to replace Khedira, however, and performed better in the center of the pitch.
Ricardo Carvalho
67
84
Was caught in the first half as Barca attacked with pace and left the defense exposed, but improved after the interval as the match slowed and was able to limit the attacking play of the home side with more purpose.
Pepe
65
142
Made a pair of excellent tackles on Iniesta in the first half, but once again let his aggressive temperament get the better of him after the break. He lashed out at Messi, collecting a yellow card, and was unfortunate that the referee missed his apparent elbow on Pique inside the area.
Sergio Ramos
77
98
Stepped up in an attempt to play Iniesta offside for the first goal, and got his decision totally wrong as his international team-mate strode through to lob Casillas. Never really looked comfortable when Barca had the ball.
Ángel Fabián Di María
65
94
Did not have his most effective evening, despite Madrid enjoying moderate levels of success in opposition territory. He toiled to get involved, however, and was eventually hooked in the second-half
Xabi Alonso
84
65
A tenacious tackler up against the quick Barca movement. Made some vital interceptions but at time also couldn't cope with the pace of Xavi and Iniesta, and the incessant movement.
Sami Khedira
65
95
Appeared slightly out of his depth at times during a breathless first half that seemed to go over his head. Messi evaded him all too easily for the first goal, and he seemed unsure of his role. Removed at half-time to be replaced by Marcelo.
Mesut Özil
92
92
Had a magnificent match on Sunday and showed some nice touches, in what was an open, end-to-end contest. Stung the gloves of Valdes with a powerful shot, but his fitness once again let him down, and he didn't complete the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo
140
191
Had a productive first half, showing instincts to draw his side level from close range, before producing a thunderbolt that Valdes had to do well to beat onto the crossbar. After the interval however, a few sharp tackles saw his interest wane, and he disappeared without trace.
Karim Benzema
121
71
A willing worker in his role leading the line, and his movement gave the Barca back line no end of problems. Volleyed over when he should have did better, but showed good striking instinct to level the scores with 10 minutes remaining.
• Substitutions
Marcelo
Flop of the Match128
202
Came on at half-time, but his evening will be remembered for his inexplicable, ludicrous lunge on Fabregas that earned him a straight red and kicked off the remarkable scenes of chaos.
Kaká
100
66
A late entry into the too entry, indeed, too late to make an impact.
Gonzalo Higuaín
64
85
Came on midway through the second-half but didn't really get involved in the action.
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