Sublime Lionel Messi sinks 10-man Madrid in battle of the Bernabeu
Barcelona established a two goal advantage in the first leg of the Champions League semifinal after Lionel Messi showed the world his magical capabilities.
The drama ensued in the second half when Real Madrid was forced to play the final half an hour with 10 men after Pepe was sent off for a studs high challenge on Dani Alves.
Madrid’s mission worsened when it found itself a goal down in the 77th minute when Messi expertly guided home Ibrahim Afellay’s cross to give Barcelona a 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu.
The Argentine star then produced a sensation moment of pure football when he waltz past four Madrid players before sending the ball beyond Iker Casillas to send the travelling support into raptures.
The opening exchanges took the same route as the previous El Clasico’s with neither side being able to settle early on with referee, Wolfgang Stark, heavily involved. Both sides looked to influence him as they attempted to gain a psychological hold on the German official.
Barcelona began to enjoy possession in its own half, as the match developed, and came close to taking the lead when David Villa darted in-field.
The Spaniard looked to strike the ball across Iker Casillas, but Villa’s effort flashed past the far post.
Marcelo ventured forward as the Brazilian was determined to chase down his own knock, winning a deserved corner as a result. Madrid hastily took the kick only for Angel di Maria to waste the promising crossing position to the frustration of his teammates.
Casillas made the games first stop when he got down low to save from Barcelona’s Xavi. Messi had threaded a beautiful pass through to the Spanish international who took the shot on first time, firing across Madrid’s goal.
The Argentine repeated his contribution soon afterwards, this time finding Villa behind Real Madrid’s defense but the striker’s touch deserted him as los Blancos saw out the danger with ease.
Victor Valdes was called into action for the first time in the 35th minute when Pepe rose highest to meet Xabi Alonso’s free kick; but the header lacked any purchase and the save was an easy one.
The officials became central to the tie as tempers began to rise with the match becoming increasingly tense with Wolfgang Stark looking to exert control on proceedings.
Barcelona showed what it is capable of with a magical one-touch move which ended with Villa’s flick having too much pace allowing Alvaro Arbeloa to beat Messi to the ball.
The half came to life in the final minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo crashed a long-range effort which had Valdes in trouble. His save landed at the feet of Mesut Oezil, who was spared embarrassment when the offside flag was raised after his subsequent shot was blocked.
As the players headed down the tunnel there was a ruckus between members of both teams, as an argument broke out, earning Barcelona’s second choice goalkeeper Jose Pinto a red card.
The whistle had brought the most drama, adding fuel to the fire for when the two sides re-emerged for the second-half.
The Blaugrana began the brighter of the two with Messi finding space between the midfield and defence. He shifted the ball onto Pedro who found the Argentine with a delicate cross but Pepe recovered to nick the ball before Casillas was tested.
Barcelona took a quick free-kick as it looked to get Messi away and the striker took it beyond three Madrid players before Sergio Ramos body checked the Argentine.
The challenge earned Ramos a yellow card, which will see the defender miss the return leg. Javier Mascherano levelled the caution count, soon after, when he went in recklessly on Pepe.
Drama unfolded when Pepe was sent off for a stud’s high challenge on Dani Alves, leaving the Madrid bench in wonderment of the decision.
Jose Mourinho had contested the referee’s judgment and was sent to the stands after he sarcastically praised the fourth official after Pepe’s sending off.
Barcelona looked to take the imitative with the numerical advantage and Villa produced a fine save from Casillas as the Blaugrana began their onslaught on Madrid’s goal.
Soon after, the Spanish stopper could do nothing to prevent Barcelona from taking the lead. Lionel Messi stole a march on Ramos to expertly steer home his 10th Champions League goal of the season to give Barcelona an invaluable away goal.
What followed was a spectacle. Messi picked the ball up 30 yards from goal before turning toward goal; he then took the ball past several Madrid defenders with ease and majestically tucked the finish in the bottom corner to condemn Madrid to their first home loss in the Champions League.
Guardiola’s side trenched off at the final whistle with a feeling of jubilation as they will welcome the Cope del Rey champions to the Camp Nou next Tuesday in the culmination of this El Clasico Champions League tie.
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