The drama in Sunday night's El Clasico went right down to the wire with Barcelona clinch the maximum three points at the death inside Camp Nou. Substitute Franck Kessie proved to be the difference maker for the Blaugrana, hitting a 93rd minute winnner to put his side close to the league title.
Barca approached the night's clash knowing that a win would be vital in their bid to clinch the league title this season. Ahead of kick-off, Xavi's men rested atop the pile with nine points separating them and their fiercest rivals. The game began with a frantic opening, with Madrid taking the lead inside the first nine minutes thanks to Ronald Araujo's own-goal.
However, the hosts persevered, and were duly reward for their dominant performance with an equalizer before half-time. Sergi Roberto got his first-ever El Clasico goal by getting on the end of a rebound inside the Real Madrid penalty area.
With their sight set on completing a remontada, Barca were seemingly dealt a late blow when Marco Asensio put the ball in the net in the 84th minute. However, a review by the Video Assistant Referee resulted in the goal being ruled for offside. Shortly after, the game's defining moment arrived, with a late attacking surge on the left flank resulting in the deciding goal by substitute Franck Kessie.
Watch:
FRANCK KESSIÉ!
— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 19, 2023
It's a first LaLiga goal for the Ivorian and what a time to get it
The Spotify Camp Nou is rocking as the midfielder finds the net against Real Madrid #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/sjS99jatNJ
The night's win meant that Barcelona heads into the international break with a 12 point gap between them and second-placed Real Madrid. With no European football commitment, Xavi's men are well on course to reclaiming the league title.
91:02 - At 91m 2s, Franck Kessié's winner was the lastest winning goal scored for FC Barcelona in #ElClasico in LaLiga since Lionel Messi (91:48) in April 2017 (3-2 at Santiago Bernabéu). Dessert. pic.twitter.com/Kg55Zsws9E
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 19, 2023