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El Clasico: Messi scores late winner as Barca down 10-man Real Madrid, keep title race alive

Last updated on: April 24, 2017 10:56 IST

Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the winner against Real Madrid during their La Liga match at Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid, on Saturday

IMAGE: Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring the winner against Real Madrid during their La Liga match at Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid, on Saturday. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Lionel Messi scored the winner in the dying seconds of the match to help FC Barcelona squeeze past 10-man Real Madrid in an electrifying El Clasico encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Sunday.

That was also the talismanic striker's 500th goal for Barcelona in all competitions.

Messi had scored the equaliser (33rd minute) in the first half after Real drew first blood through Casemiro's 28th minute strike. 

Ivan Rakitic then scored a blinder from outside the box to double Barca's lead, only to lose the advantage to an 85th minute equaliser by substitute James Rodriguez. 

Real's captain Sergio Ramos was sent off for a wild challenge on Messi just before the hosts struck the equaliser.

But just when Real thought they had the three points and the title potentially in their kitty, Sergio Roberto made a beautiful run into the box, passed it to Suarez who then played perfect assist to Messi, who clinched the winner from the edge of the box. 

Both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier missed good opportunities to give their sides the lead in a visibly controversial contest.

The Real Madrid forward had strong early penalty claim turned down early in the game while Barcelona wanted Casemiro's opener chalked off as they claimed for offside against Ramos in the build-up, a goal that was promptly cancelled out by Messi before half-time.

This match has thrown the league wide open with Barca now level on points (75) with Real, but lead the La Liga table on goal difference.

Real Madrid though still have a game in hand.

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