- Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a 3-0 win over Real Madrid in El Clasico
- Barca are now 14 points ahead of their rivals in La Liga
- Messi broke two records as Barcelona beat the reigning champions at the Bernabeu
- READ MORE: Barcelona star Lionel Messi breaks two incredible records with El Clasico goal vs Real Madrid
Barcelona won El Clasico 3-0 against Real Madrid to all but end Zinedine Zidane’s side’s hopes of retaining their La Liga crown this season.
Goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Alexis Vidal delivered the three points for Barca at the Bernabeu, putting them 14 points clear of Real at the top of the table.
Cristiano Ronaldo might’ve just beaten Messi to the Ballon d’Or, but it was the Argentine who had the last laugh today…and to think there was talk of Barcelona giving Real a guard of honour for winning the Club World Cup!
Here’s how it all unfolded in today’s big game…
Man of the match
Who else but Lionel Messi?
With a goal and an assist, the Argentine superstar decided El Clasico once again and made all kinds of history in the process.
He certainly loves this fixture and he’s lit it up again with his performance today, surely all but ending the title race as a contest this season.
Flop of the match
Much will always be made of Cristiano Ronaldo when Messi plays like this, but in truth it was another big name that let Real down today.
Sergio Ramos is usually Mr Reliable in the big games, but he could do nothing about the quality of Barcelona’s attacks today.
He wasn’t helped by Dani Carvajal’s sending off, but you’d hope for more leadership from an influential player like Ramos.
Stat of the match
Take your pick from any of these three…
Messi is now the all-time leading scorer with one club in Europe’s top five leagues, netting 526 times for Barcelona.
The 30-year-old is also the leading El Clasico scorer at the Bernabeu with 15 goals.
No player has scored more La Liga goals against Real Madrid than Messi. Ever.
Player ratings
Real Madrid: Navas 7, Ramos 5, Varane 6, Carvajal 6, Marcelo 6, Casemiro 6, Kovacic 6, Modric 6, Kroos 7, Benzema 6, Ronaldo 6 / Subs: Bale 6, Asensio 5, Nacho 6
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 8, Pique 7, Vermaelen 7, Roberto 8, Alba 7, Busquets 8, Rakitic 7, Iniesta 7, Paulinho 6, Messi 10, Suarez 8 / Subs: Semedo 6, Gomes 6, Vidal 7
Reaction
Twitter is awash with Messi praise as the little magician does his thing once again…
Best in history. https://t.co/P4jmqdIEJY
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 23, 2017
Messi is the god of football right now
— ThemindofWill (@Willpena_) December 23, 2017
God’s gift to football
Lionel Anders Messi #ElClasico— Junior ??® (@kmtakyi) December 23, 2017
This guy #Messi is simply amazing. pic.twitter.com/Irk3vyiduu
— Gideon Lastborn (@LastbornL) December 23, 2017