El Clasico always loves the drama with this one being no different. Barcelona thought they had wrapped up three points and cut into Real Madrid’s lead at the top of the table. Sergio Ramos, though, had other ideas as he headed home the equalizer in the 90th minute.

Rough start to El Clasico

This is one of those matches where, no matter what the table says, even though the visitors do sit six points clear, both sides would be up for the challenge. And was that ever the case in this one.

Both sides came flying out of the gates with the intensity turned all the way up. Challenges from Real Madrid and Barcelona were sent flying at one another.

In just the third minute of play, there were shouts from the team in white for penalty after Lucas Vazquez went down in the area. At first glance, it looked like Javier Mascherano won the challenge fairly, but on replay, the Argentine did get there a second or two late.

Cristiano Ronaldo was not at his best in this match against Barcelona. At the 16 minute mark, Ronaldo had a weak header stopped with a bit of ease by Marc Andre Ter Stegen. 22 minutes later, Ronaldo looked like he was about to pull off something magical as he danced by a couple of Barcelona defenders. But then he lashed at an attempt as the ball rolled into Ter Stegen’s arms.

Barcelona strike first

Barcelona started the ball with the half and maintained possession for the vast majority of the opening minutes of play.

Raphael Varane muscled Neymar down on the left side of the box seven minutes into the second half. That mistake from the French defender would prove to be costly.

Neymar aids in Barcelona's goal. | Photo:Alex Gallardo/VAVEL Espana
Neymar aids in Barcelona's goal. | Photo:Alex Gallardo/VAVEL Espana

Neymar and Lionel Messi stood over the free kick, but it was the former who took control, and rightly so. The Brazilian whipped his delivery expertly into the box and straight onto Luis Suarez’ head. Suarez then proceeded to pick his spot out, beating Keylor Navas.

Three minutes before the end of regulation, Ramos could have pulled his side level. His header, though, looped over the crossbar, missing by just a couple of inches.

Ramos equalizes late

In the 90th minute of the match, Real Madrid stole points away from Barcelona.

Real Madrid’s central defender, Ramos, would not miss his second opportunity. Luka Modric delivered a superb ball from deep off a set piece to the top of the six yard box. Ramos emphatically headed one past Ter Stegen, who got fingertips on the shot, but could not keep the ball out.

The drama continued even after the Ramos goal. In what was essentially the last attempt of the night, Navas punched away a ball over the top. Navas’ clearance, however, found Sergi Roberto. Roberto sent the ball back towards his side's goal and Casemiro had to clear it off the line with his own head, saving Real Madrid’s point and keeping the gap to six.

This was perhaps the right result tonight. Real Madrid were the better side throughout the majority of the first stanza as they could have scored a couple if they weren’t so wasteful. Barcelona came out firing to start the second but failed to kill off the match when they had their opportunities.

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