One of the biggest rivalry games in soccer, El Clásico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, ended in a 1-1 draw last night at the Camp Nou.
This represented the first leg of the two legs of the draw. The second leg will be played in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu at the end of this month.
Barcelona, who did not use Lionel Messi as a starter in the game to surprise of some due to a slight thigh injury that he sustained the previous weekend, gave up the first goal of the game in only the 6th minute. After a cross by Vinicius Jr. found Karim Benzema, the French striker tapped the ball to Lucas Vázquez, who put the ball in the net.
Los Blancos maintained their lead until minute 57, when unheralded Brazilian striker Malcom scored a beautiful goal to beat Keylor Navas and knot the game up at 1.
Many assumed that Barcelona would be able to push another goal into the net after Lionel Messi was subbed on for Philippe Coutinho shortly after Malcom’s goal.
However, despite multiple chances for both squads, when the whistle blew at the end of the match, both teams went hope wondering what could have been after a 1-1 draw.
The draw is completely up in the air going into the second leg. On February 27, the two teams will meet in Madrid to decide who will move on to the Copa del Rey final in Seville.
Barcelona will be back in action on Sunday against Athletic Club, and Real Madrid has a crucial derby game against Atlético Madrid on Saturday.
