And Barcelona's defence is almost torn to ribbons again. Luka Modric's clever reverse ball is just out of reach of Karim Benzema as he bursts beyond the last man.

Image source, Reuters

Spanish football writer Graham Hunter tweets:, external Team which deserves to be in the lead is in the lead. No question.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

You don't save those. A classic bulleted header from Pepe who is left free at the back stick to empathically convert Toni Kroos's deep corner.

The Portuguese defender thrusts two open palms towards the Real fans in celebration. Ten fingers, one for each European Cup.

Both sides have been straining at the leash straight from the restart.

Sergio Ramos bombs upfield at the slightest sniff of a counter-attack and Dani Alves is pushed on all the way to the corner flag for the visitors.

There are more goals in this one. Plenty more.

The referee is not endearing himself to the Barcelona players. Luka Modric looks sheepish after a cynical foul to prevent Luis Suarez getting away from him, but there is no yellow card forthcoming.

Four Barca man booked and none of the home side so far remember.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan on Twitter:, external Not one Arsenal player would get in either of these teams, with possible exception of Alexis. I predicted 3-1 to Madrid and I stand by that prediction.

Would Alexis get back in Piers? Messi, Suarez and Neymar - can't see it.

Send us all your views on #bbceurofooty.

Caught your breath? Good. We are back up and running.

Image source, EPA

There was an amusing moment when Cristiano Ronaldo thumped home his equalising penalty and the cameras panned to the VIP section for reaction from his other half.

Irina Shayk looked distinctly bored, before spotting herself on the big screen and quickly re-setting her features to suitably delighted.

By the way David [at 17:01], there is some Premier League action afoot right now.

The general consensus among those watching Swansea v Leicester here at BBC Sport towers is that it is a step down from the fare on offer at the Bernabeu.

David Broome:, external Great quality on both teams but I can't get excited about a thousand square passes. I'll stick with the Premier League.

C'mon David, there was a fair bit going on in between those passes...Or am I getting high on hype?

The numbers behind a corking half of football. Barcelona looked like they wanted to take the sting out of the game after going ahead. But Real Madrid upped the pace to get Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu all flustered at the heart of the visiting defence.

A free header from 10 yards but James Rodriguez gets it all horribly wrong, allowing the ball to smear across his forehead and wide.

Image source, AFP/GETTY

Luis Enrique doesn't want his Barcelona side slacking. He waves them forward from the sidelines, demanding they press Real Madrid right until the half-time whistle.

Image source, EPA

Forty minutes that felt like five. We have five minutes to the break and both sets of players, and the ref, will have earned their oranges.

Goonerama:, external How much does Ronaldo cost in Spanish fantasy football?

I don't think you'd get too far if you didn't pick him would you?

The referee shows no mercy as Andres Iniesta pleads that his trip on Luka Modric was his first offence. Into the book goes the Spain lynchpin. He is the fourth Barcelona name in there.

The Bernabeu is bubbling. It had looked as if Barcelona were getting into a passing groove after taking the lead, but suddenly Real are looking quicker all around the pitch.

Barca seem to have deployed Jeremy Mathieu man-to-man against Cristiano Ronaldo to try to turn the tide.

Image source, Getty Images