Messi breaks Real Madrid hearts

 

Lionel Messi brace powers Barcelona to 3-2 win over 10-man Real Madrid in El Clasico

LIONEL Messi inspired Barcelona to a 3-2 win over 10-man Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu to go the the top of the La Liga standings on Sunday night.

Casemiro opened the scoring in the 28th minute for the host side when he pounced at the back post after Sergio Ramos had hit the upright.

That lead was short-lived as Lionel Messi produced a trademark run and finish to restore parity.

The second-half saw Barca take the lead through the boot of Ivan Rakitic who fired past Keylor Navas in goal.

With Madrid chasing the game their mission was made more difficult when captain Ramos was given his marching orders for a two-footed lunge on Messi.

However, despite being a man down Zinedine Zidane’s men showed plenty of grit with substitute James Rodrigues turning home Marcelo’s cross at the near post.

There was to be another twist as Sergio Roberto charged up field which resulted in a chance for Messi to curl home his second from outside the area. –kickoff.com