Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid as it happened

Summary

Barcelona go four points clear at top
Suarez controls long ball and slots home winner
Messi 43 goals this season; Ronaldo 42
Messi 21 El Clasico goals; Ronaldo 15

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance

HITS THE WOODWORKpublished at 20:16 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Image source, AP
Chance! Cristiano Ronaldo hits the bar!
A great pass finds Karim Benzema on the left of the area, he cuts back onto his right foot and flights it to the back post, there's Ronaldo, it's a tight angle but he sidefoots against the crossbar and away. Unlucky. Seconds later Isco shoots wide and then Sergio Ramos heads over. Great 60 seconds for Real.
Postpublished at 20:14 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Image source, Reuters
Neymar goes down in theatrical fashion holding his neck after a tussle with the Real defence. The amount of shenanigans in Clasicos of the past has ruined it but this referee is having none of it.
Text us on 81111published at 20:13 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
AP: Messi much more of a team player, especially when he doesn't get the ball. Ronaldo however...
Jared Maobe: Casillas...he used to be Real Madrid's strongest point, but he might be their weak point tonight.
'Bale can't switch off'published at 20:13 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Spanish football writer Andy West at the Nou Camp
Image source, Reuters
"Gareth Bale is directly up against Jordi Alba, which is quite a foot race. The Welshman is being diligent in defence so far and he can't switch off for a second. Alba can be devastating in attack."
Postpublished at 20:12 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
The first moment of aggro is caused by Gareth Bale, he gets the full force of the home crowd after barging into Jordi Alba as the full-back cuts him out. At the other end, Luis Suarez is sent free by a peach of a pass but he's just offside. Both sides nibbling at the edges of danger...
Postpublished at 20:10 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Image source, AP
Gareth Bale's first real touch is a good one, jinking past a man on the right and finding Karim Benzema streaking through the middle. The Frenchman has to hit it first time and does, but scuffs it across goal.
Postpublished at 20:09 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Image source, AFP
Real now having a good spell in possession. Under Pep Guardiola the Barca mantra used to be to win the ball back within six seconds but now they seem happier to let the other side have it in non-dangerous areas and then hit the front three on the break. A bit more direct.
Lionel Messi shows why that's a great option with a majestic crossfield pass but Jordi Alba runs out of room.
Postpublished at 20:07 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Opta Jose:, external Andres Iniesta is the Barcelona captain for the first time in a game against Real Madrid in his career.
Postpublished at 20:06 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Image source, AP
That looked a sore one for Andres Iniesta but after a tickle of the magic sponge he's back with us. Sergio Ramos tussles with Luis Suarez and again the home crowd erupts. Terrific atmosphere, as you'd expect. Demand.
Postpublished at 20:05 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Lovely stuff! Andres Iniesta plays a one-two over the Real defence and cuts one back, great ball in but it's deflected over the top. Iniesta has gone over on his ankle and needs some treatment.
Postpublished at 20:04 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Spanish football writer Andy West at the Nou Camp
"Wow. Just wow. Fancy playing here?"
Postpublished at 20:04 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Luka Modric with the first interception of the night and he sets Cristiano Ronaldo away down the Real left. His touch is met by a huge sound of 98,000 boos and whistles. He's not a popular man in these parts.
Postpublished at 20:02 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater:, external El Clasico! Got to be Barca, all day long.
The Goat! Now there's a man who would have walked into either side...
KICK-OFFpublished at 20:02 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Here we go then, Barcelona get us under way...
Postpublished at 19:59 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Image source, Getty Images
It's all very fraternal. Get Roy Keane out there. Here we go then, the stadium-wide mural is revealed and it's fantastic. We'd all give a right arm to be there tonight I'm sure...
Postpublished at 19:57 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Andres Iniesta and Xavi both share embraces with Real keeper Iker Casillas. All friends now, the Spanish team-mates. Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique hug it out too. You didn't get this at Anfield this afternoon...
Postpublished at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
The Nou Camp is buzzing, almost 100,000 people inside awaiting the showdown. It's just ticking around to 9pm in Barcelona. It's about to hit fever pitch. Teams in the tunnel!
Postpublished at 19:55 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Spanish football writer Andy West at the Nou Camp
"There's a campaign across La Liga at the moment to cut down on fans verbally abusing opposition players, so Barca fans have been asked not to jeer Ronaldo. Good luck with that."
Postpublished at 19:52 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Spanish La Liga
Image source, Getty Images
We are 10 minutes from kick-off in El Clasico. If you are interested, Real Madrid have won 71 La Liga Clasicos, with Barca on 66 victories.
Postpublished at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 22 March 2015
Who do you buy first when you play football manager games though Rob? Don't tell me you spend your budget on full-backs when Luis Suarez is available...