Barcelona back on the top of Primera table with one point

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s superb second-half goal was enough to give Barcelona victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Primera Division’s first ‘El Clasico’ of the season at the Nou Camp and move the Catalans back to the top of the table with a point ahead of Real Madrid. The 60m Pounds Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry early in the second half and fired Barcelona in front less than four minutes after he replaced Henry, the pass for the goal come from Dani Alves’ cross.

Barcelona were reduced to 10 men about half an hour to go, when Sergio Busquets was sent off for a second bookable offence. But Madrid, who had earlier missed a fantastic chance to take the lead when the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo – in his first ever ‘Clasico’ – shot straight at Victor Valdes with only the Barca keeper to beat, failed to take advantage and themselves had Lassana Diarra dismissed also in the match. Ronaldo went off with 25 minutes left and Barcelona should have made things easier with two minutes to go, when Lionel Messi found himself alone with only Iker Casillas to beat, but the Argentina winger shot straight at the Madrid keeper, who deflected the ball over with his feet. Barcelona looked the more fluid of the two sides early on, but Madrid proved to be just as dangerous on the break. Marcelo and Xavi both blasted over the bar in the opening 10 minutes as both sides began brightly.

Ronaldo went off with 25 minutes left and Barca should have made things easier with two minutes to go, when Lionel Messi found himself alone with only Iker Casillas to beat, but the Argentina winger shot straight at the Madrid keeper, who deflected the ball over with his feet. Barcelona looked the more fluid of the two sides early on, but Madrid proved to be just as dangerous on the break. Marcelo and Xavi both blasted over the bar in the opening 10 minutes as both sides began brightly. Casillas had to be alert to gather Thierry Henry’s cross after a trademark Messi run and the Madrid keeper also intercepted well moments later as Iniesta tried to set up Xavi. Barcelona were edging it on possession and play, but Madrid had the best chance of the half after 19 minutes.

It fell to Ronaldo and the former Manchester United forward should have scored after he was brilliantly set up by Kaka, but his shot was too close to Valdes and the Barca keeper made a smart save. Marcelo then got into a great position eight minutes later, but Carles Puyol intercepted the Brazilian’s shot with a perfectly-timed block. At the other, Casillas did well to cut out Iniesta’s low cross as half-time approached and the Spain keeper also pushed Henry’s cross-shot over the bar moments later.

With the score still goalless, the rather ineffective Henry was replaced by Ibrahimovic six minutes into the second half. And the Sweden striker was quickly involved in the build-up as Xavi found a great position in the box, but the Spain midfielder hesitated and saw his effort deflected wide for a corner. From the resulting centre, Madrid raced forward and Gonzalo Higuain looked certain to score after turning Eric Abidal in the area, but Puyol once again appeared from nowhere with another majestic block. Barcelona joy turned somewhat sour six minutes later, though, when Busquets – who had already been booked – was shown the red card for a cynical handball. Ronaldo then headed just over the bar from Marcelo’s cross as Madrid immediately threatened to draw level. But the Portugal winger, perhaps feeling the effects of his recent injury, departed straight after that. His replacement tonight, Karim Benzema, was quickly involved.

Real began the second half the brighter too and only another stunning block from Puyol denied Marcelo once again. Barcelona captain’s efforts were soon to be rewarded as his side took the lead to sent the stadium into delirium. Ibrahimovic, who did not start because of a thigh injury, had only just come on for the disappointing Henry but he wasted no time in marking his first Clasico with a goal, expertly slamming in after Alves had done wonderfully to pick him out.