Ramos Is Real Hero

The central defender pulled off the leveller in stoppage time to help Real Madrid SNATCH A POINT against Barcelona in the El Clasico.

- Amrit Ramakrishnan

Real Madrid came off un-scathed from the El Clas-ico at Camp Nou, as a late Sergio Ramos goal enabled it to grab a point against a determined Barcelona that was desperate for a win. A struggling Barcelona, six points behind leader and archrival Real, took the lead through a Luis Suarez header in the 53rd minute and dominated the proceedings. However, that mattered for nothing as Los Blancos’ skipper equalised in stoppage time from close range to help extend Real’s unbeaten run and maintain its six-point advantage at the top (Real 34, Barcelona 28).

Elsewhere, Malaga denied Valencia full points at Mestalla, as Pablo Fornals’ injury-time equaliser ended the game at 2-2, leaving the host two points above the relegation zone.

ETXEBARRIA BENAT, Inaki Williams and Iker Muniain scored as Athletic Bilbao beat Eibar 3-1 to stay close to the top five. Third-placed Sevilla succumbed to a shock 2-1 defeat against 19th-placed Granada.

With the top three teams dropping points, Atletico Madrid failed to capitalise on it as it played out a goalless draw at home to Espanyol. Diego Simeone’s men were looking to make the most of third-placed Sevilla losing and Barcelona and Real Madrid drawing, but they could not get the better of Espanyol’s stubborn defence and ultimately had goalkeeper Jan Oblak to thank following a couple of crucial saves.

BUNDESLIGA