What a spectacular night
for Real Madrid and long-time rivals FC Barcelona to meet in their third
Clásico of the season. Networks in
recent years have marketed the match as a showdown as one between Barça's
Lionel Messi and Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably two of the best players
in the entire world. And Sunday night,
it certainly was a showdown between the two giants. For every goal one made, the other met, the
match ultimately ending to a 2-2 draw – 2 for Cristiano, 2 for Messi. Fellow Madridistas, we have to look to the
positive. While a win would have been
great, given our standings in La Liga, I think we can all take away the fact
that we scored two goals at Camp Nou.
The game started off
strong for los Blancos. Within 15 minutes of play, the men in white
had already created two chances, while Barça had yet to have a shot on
goal. It would not be long until chance
translated into result, with Cristiano Ronaldo breaking the deadlock at the 23'
minute mark. The Portuguese all-star took
Valdés by surprise after controlling a pass from Karim Benzema, sending the ball
to his near post. Shock permeated
throughout the stadium.
Madrid's celebration
would be short lived all in thanks to Lionel Messi. The Argentine equalized at the 31' minute
mark, scoring from close range when Pepe failed to clear the ball. Cules rejoiced, while Madridistas watched on,
flabbergasted that the moment had happened.
Messi would strike again in the second half at the 61' minute mark. This goal was arguably the best goal of
evening. Messi bested Real Madrid's wall
and saintly goalkeeper Iker Casillas, whipping a perfect free kick into the top
right corner. San Iker had no chance of stopping the shot and Barça had pulled
ahead, 2-1. Would this be the end for
Madrid? Could we equalize?
Not to worry,
Madridistas. It would be our very own
Cristiano to save us five minutes later at the 66' minute mark. The 27-year-old slotted one in, taking
advantage of Mesut Özil's through ball and of the lack of Barça defense. Valdés could not believe that Madrid's No.7
managed to casually get another past him into the back of net.
Barcelona could have
easily crushed the spirit of los Blancos
as the minutes wound down. Montoya, who
had come on as a substitute for Dani Alves, had come close at the 89' minute
mark, but the shot deflected off of the crossbar. ¡Muchas
gracias, San Crossbar! Their second
opportunity had come from Pedro, who drilled a low shot during the three
minutes of stoppage time. However, his
attempt went wide... much to the disappointment of Cules worldwide.
The match ended a 2-2
draw, FCB still sitting pretty at the top of the league. Will Real Madrid be able to save face in the
standings? This Madridista hopes
so. Los
Blancos play their next match at home in the Santiago Bernabéu against
Celta Saturday, October 20th.
Until then, ¡Hala Madrid!
written by Gail Hidalgo
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