La Liga 2016/17: Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona, 5 Talking Points from El Clasico

Modified Apr 23, 2017 22:06 GMT

Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona Talking Points Messi — Lionel Messi won the match for Barcelona in injury time

#4 Goalkeepers

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 23: Keylor Navas of Real Madrid fails to stop Lionel Messi of Barcelona (10) from scoring their third goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Bernabeu on April 23, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) — Keylor Navas did not deserve to be on the losing side tonight

Football is a cruel game to goalkeepers. There were five goals scored in the game but Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Keylor Navas were two of the best players on the pitch. Neither player deserved to be on the losing end as they pulled off save after save.

Ter Stegen was ultimately the victor amongst the two keepers and he was on hand to make some crucial saves at pivotal moments. With the score at 1-1, Ter Stegen denied Real Madrid with an incredible save from a Karim Benzema effort. The German shut up his doubters with a stellar performance that saw some incredible reaction saves.

Marc-André ter Stegen's 12 saves against Real Madrid is the most he's ever made in a #LaLiga game for Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/lyEDODgHnV
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 23, 2017

Expand Tweet

In a similar vein, Navas also kept Real Madrid in the game with some crucial saves, denying Gerard Pique from an excellent header first, and then a point-blank save later on. The Madrid shot-stopper has been criticised heavily of late, having conceded in each of his last 16 appearances, but showed that it is perhaps the fault of the defence in front of him.