Barcelona produced a convincing attacking performance to beat Real Madrid 2-0 in the Spanish Classico on Saturday at Camp Nou. After struggling to break Iker Casillas' heroics for over 80 minutes, Josip Guardiola's team finally managed to secure the win thanks to goals from Samuel Eto'o (83) and Lionel Messi (92). In his first Liga game in charge of the team, Juande Ramos led an injury-wrecked Real side, who went into the clash as underdogs. On the other side, Barcelona had their star-studded team ready with Thierry Henry, Eto'o, Messi and Eidur Gudjohnsen all in the starting line up. The home side started threatening as early as the fifth minute. A lovely footwork from Messi was followed by a low shot from the Argentine, which could only be palmed away by Casillas. From there, it was one-way traffic throughout the rest of the game and Fabio Cannavaro and Christophe Metzelder were doing their best to keep off the Barca pressure. This was clearly shown on 19 minutes, when the ball found Eric Abidal totally free in the Real area before Metzelder's brave block saved his team from conceding.
Messi ensured win Real's first chance of the game was when Victor Valdes stretched to tip Wesley Sneijder's long-range shot over the bar. Two minutes later, Real could have taken the lead against the run of play when Fernando Gago's through ball was picked up by Royston Drenthe, who was clear on Valdes, but the Dutch shot low at the keeper's legs. It was the same story after the interval, and on 47 minutes Eto'o threatened with a powerful volley that was parried by Casillas. In the 70th minute, Barca were granted a penalty kick after Michel Salgado pulled Busquetes in the area. Eto'o stepped up but his effort was brilliantly saved by Casillas. The Spain guardian even blocked Messi's rebound. On 83 minutes Barcelona finally scored. Xavi's corner was headed by Carles Puyol towards Eto'o, whose flick was enough for the ball to cross the line before Palanca hacked it away. In injury time, a wonderfully crafted counter-attack by Barcelona lead by Henry was passed towards the darting Messi, who chipped the ball above Casillas and went in despite Cannavaro's effort to clear off the line. The massive win enforces Barca's position on top of La Liga with 38 points, 12 adrift of fifth- placed Real.
