Fans of either side were in for a real treat at Nou Camp where the ultimate classic of the Primera Division took place. With 6 goals they sure got their money's worth. The match ended in a tie 3-3.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored 2 goals for Real Madrid but Leo Messi went and saved Barcelona by scoring a hattrick.
Real Madrid took the lead 3 times but failed to hold on to it, making them the sore losers of the evening in both status as well as for the race for the championship of the Primera Division, failing to close in on the top 3 of the league.
Especially in the first half of play, there were attacking waves back and forth resulting in many scoring opportunities on either side. After only 30 minutes, 4 goals had already been scored. Oleguer was redcarded (2x yellow) right before half time.
Both teams were on equal terms during a stormy opening of the match. Real Madrid took the lead twice but failed to hold on to it. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored twice and his first after only 5 minutes his second came right from the spot. It was Lillian Thuram's error that led to the first goal.
FC Barcelona's Leo Messi had a very productive evening in the dream formation with Eto'o , Ronaldinho and Messi up front. The young Argentinan prodigy scored the 1-2 after only 11 minutes being completely left free on the edge of the box. The 2-2 was scored in the rebound.
Despite the match having every characteristic of a classic it did have a negative touch to it with the redcard given to Oleguer. He was given a yellow card for causing a penalty and committed an unnecessary error on Fernando Gago near half time.
In the second half Real Madrid had the upperhand due to the one man difference. Van Nistelrooy had the opportunity to score 2-3 but his chip was saved by Victor Valdes. After Guti took a freekick, Sergio Ramos won the duel over Carlos Puyol, scoring Barcelona's third goal.
Instead of piling on the pressure against a 10-man Barcelona squad, Real decided to fall back and rely on counter attacks. FC Barcelona created some minor scoring oppertunities and Andres Iniesta was unlucky in his finishing. The Barcelona efforts were rewarded however. Messi showed his prodigal skills when Ronaldinho passed the ball. He dribbled his way through and shot without hesitation scoring the dramatic equaliser in injury time. 3-3 is the endscore.
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