FRANCK KESSIE’S stoppage-time winner earned Barcelona a dramatic victory in El Clasico to put them in complete control of the LaLiga title race.
Xavi’s side are 12 points clear of their greatest rivals with 12 games left and would need a monumental collapse to avoid being crowned Spanish champions for the 27th time.
The late drama all came despite Barcelona making the worst possible start.
Just nine minutes, in and totally against the run of play, Real Madrid struck first.
Fresh from setting up Karim Benzema’s winner against Liverpool, Vinicius Junior was heavily involved once again after his cross deflected in off the unfortunate Ronald Araujo.
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It was only the SECOND goal the leaders had conceded at home in the league all season and first since December.
But it’s up the other end where Barca have been struggling in recent weeks with only three goals in four games since crashing out of Europe.
It's not been for the want of trying though, and here Thibaut Courtois was at his best to keep the home side at bay on several occasions before the break.
Barcelona eventually found a breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Sergi Roberto was a cool head amongst a hectic penalty area and stroked past the Belgian.
Rodrygo should have put Madrid back ahead just past the hour mark, while Robert Lewandowski spurned two golden chances to complete the turnaround.
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Marco Asensio thought he won it nine minutes from time, but his strike was ruled out for offside by VAR following a lengthy delay.
And in the 92nd minute, Alejandro Balde’s low cross was turned home by Kessie to spark wild scenes at the Nou Camp.
