"The El Clasico With Nothing to Play for" or So They Said

The match ended with 4 goals, 8 yellow cards, a red card and many controversies. Quite explosive for a classic without bets.

The Classic has always been one of the most anticipated football matches presented to FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, two of the largest football clubs on the planet. The clash is not only limited to the contrasting football styles of the clubs, since it is also seen as a clash between Spain and Catalonia. With so much importance attached to the game, he has always lived up to the expectation of football fans. Emotions are high in the field as temperatures occur and controversies and fights occur. This Sunday's classic had been described as a humid issue even before its start, since Barcelona had already won the League, while Real Madrid was being cautious in preparation for the finals of the Champions League. The fact that this was the last Iniesta classic was the only reason why most fans waited for the football game. There were others who remembered the fact that Barcelona had remained undefeated during the league season and the Cup so far and a defeat would mean that they would not pass the full season.

But all that wet talk of El Classic became dust when Barcelona took an early advantage through Luis Suarez, who connected perfectly with a Sergio Roberto Cross. Real Madrid soon matched when Cristiano Ronaldo connected to the Benzema header pass that was established by Toni Kroos. Both teams continued threatening the objectives of others as possibilities were created from left to right. Ronaldo also received an injury that saw him limbing for the rest of half. At the end of the 40th minute, two of Real Madrid's defenders were shown yellow cards and Barcelona Messi and Saurez. But the true controversy began when the referee did not realize Gareth Bale's horrible challenge about Samuel Umtiti that should have won a straight red card.

Things soon began to warm up as halftime was approaching. An attack by Real Madrid on the left flank saw a clash between Marcelo and Sergio Roberto. The latter lost as great and threw his fist in Marcelo's face. The referee had a clear vision of this clash and showed Roberto a straight red in the half -time rest. This meant that Barcelona had to play the entire second half, a man below.

While Barcelona reduced to 10 men, Real Madrid had to replace Ronaldo due to his injury in the first half that caused a swollen ankle. Real Madrid dominated half, but could not create many opportunities. Barcelona once again took the lead when Messi scored the Suárez pass. There was a fierce protest by the Real Madrid players, since Saúz had committed a foul to Varane in the period prior to the goal, but went out with his. Real Madrid struggled to find the tie against a Barcelona of 10 men and it was Gareth Bale who curled it in the 72nd minute to level the score.

Barcelona continued to attack as a super effort by Lionel Messi was beautifully saved by Navas. Messi once again ended up scoring when a curly shot of him ended very well from the post. Real Madrid also began to take advantage of Barcelona of 10 men. Marcelo was shot down inside the Barcelona box, but the referee once again made a controversial call when Real Madrid was denied a clear penalty. Barcelona, ​​having given a clear lifeguard, continued to resist all the advances of Real Madrid and endures life. Nelson Semedo brought Coutinho to take Roberto's position in defense, impressed with his speed and resistance. Finally, Semedo cleared the ball with a header when the referee blew the final whistle.

The end of Andres Iniesta, the classic, had exploited life from the beginning and was up to turnover. There were applause everywhere that the teacher took the last arch of him.

Despite all controversies and bad arbitration decisions, all were satisfied with the result. Barcelona's manager Ernesto Valverde exclaimed that he would have hurt if the undefeated streak had been broken by Real Madrid, so a draw was a fair and acceptable result. As they say, even a tie means undefeated. Everyone who saw Sunday's classic will agree that the players took the field as if everything was at stake, contrary to the belief that nothing was.