Honours were shared at the Camp Nou as Barcelona and Real Madrid played out a dull 1-1 draw to maintain Real's lead at the top at six points. Chances did not come thick and fast for both the sides as the first El Clasico of the season was tied 0-0 at half time.
Barcelona came into their own in the second half after the introduction of Andres Iniesta and Neymar's cross was headed home by Luis Suarez to give the hosts a hope of snatching all three points.
Also read: La Liga 2016-17: Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid - Five Talking Points
Zinedine Zidane's decision to put Sergio Ramos in Barcelona's box for the last few minutes paid off as a perfect set piece from Luka Modric saw the Madrid captain unmarked as he yet again scored in the 90th minute to give Real a much-needed point in a tough away game.
Let's take a look at the player ratings from the most awaited match of the 2016-17 season:
FC Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen: 6/10
The German looked shaky at the start but made two decent saves in the first half to keep the Madrid attackers at bay. He didn't have to do anything in the second half and could not do anything for Ramos' pinpoint header.
Sergi Roberto: 6.5/10
A much-improved performance from the youngster as he showed brilliant work rate to cover the right flank incessantly and also was unlucky not to score a looping header in the dying stages of the game.
Javier Mascherano: 5/10
Mascherano was lucky not to concede a penalty in the first few minutes of the game and also looked nervous at times. He made some good interceptions but should have done better from the set piece in which Real scored. He was also booked for dissent.
Gerard Pique: 6.5/10
Pique was Barcelona's best defender on the night as he passed the ball well and was strong in the air. He made some crucial tackles which also included a last ditch tackle on Marcelo in the first half.
Jordi Alba: 6/10
The left back had yet another consistent showing for the Catalans and did not give much space to either Lucas Vazquez or Marco Asensio in the second half. He was also there in the right place when his fellow defenders were out of position.
Sergio Busquets: 7/10
The Spaniard has been struggling this season but was absolutely colossal for the hosts tonight. He made some crucial interceptions and looked almost unstoppable in the second half. A booking was the only blot on his eventful performance.
Ivan Rakitic: 5/10
The Croatian provided much-needed intensity in the first half but gave away possession on a number of occasions and was also out of position a couple of times. Rakitic was taken off for Iniesta which changed the tide of the game.
Andre Gomes: 6/10
The new signing put in a great shift but could not do anything that could have helped his team create openings. He was tidy in possession and kept the play ticking but failed to create anything for the hosts.
Neymar: 6/10
A disappointing first 60 minutes for the Brazilian but he showed his worth in the next 15 minutes. He delivered the cross for Barcelona's goal and also had a couple of clear-cut chances which should have been scored by him. He received a yellow card in the first half for a stamp on Mateo Kovacic.
Luis Suarez: 6.5/10
The Uruguayan scored a much-deserved goal for the hosts and also showed immense work rate to carry on pressing from the front. He linked up well with Messi in the second half but struggled in the first half. He was cautioned for dissent as well.
Lionel Messi: 7/10
Messi again had a decent outing against the arch-rivals and he had a brilliant chance in the second half to seal the game for Barcelona but shot just wide. He was creative with his passing and was neat in possession. The Argentine created a number of chances for the hosts but they were unable to make it count.
Substitutes
Andres Iniesta: 7/10
The captain showed what his team lacked in his absence as his arrival changed the dynamics of the game. Barcelona played with a renewed swagger which ultimately resulted in a goal.
Arda Turan: 6/10
The Turkish international had a good 15 minutes to prove his worth and he showed his grit and was tenacious in his short cameo.
Dennis Suarez : N/A
The former Villarreal man was introduced in the last few stages but could not do anything other than deliver a set piece in the final few moments of the match.
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas: 6.5/10
Navas was not at fault for the goal conceded and also did not have much to do in the game. He commanded his box well and was quick to get off his line at times.
Dani Carvajal: 6/10
Carvajal was brilliant defensively as he negated the threat of Neymar effectively in the first half. He made some fine tackles which were important in gaining a point for the visitors.
Sergio Ramos: 8/10
A trademark goal from the captain ensured that Real left Camp Nou undefeated. He was also brilliant throughout the game as he kept Luis Suarez quiet for a majority of the time.
Raphael Varane: 6/10
Varane gave away an unnecessary free kick which resulted in a goal but other than that, the Frenchman had a fine evening. He did not look shy in carrying the ball from the back and was confident in passing the ball around.
Marcelo: 5/10
The Brazilian was brilliant in the first half and was a real threat on the left flank but faded in the second. He lost possession on a number of times and was guilty of holding the ball for too long at times.
Mateo Kovacic: 6/10
He is forming a good partnership with Modric in Toni Kroos' absence as he looked sharp in the first interval. His positioning was brilliant in the first half but like Marcelo, his performance dipped and he was rightly subbed off.
Luka Modric: 7/10
The pocket-sized dynamo again showed why he is so highly rated around the globe as a brilliant performance from the Croatian included some neat passing coupled with robust tackles and also an immense work rate.
Isco: 6/10
The Spaniard was stunning at times as he showed his trickery in the first half but could not influence the game much and was disappointed to be substituted early in the game. He also committed a clumsy foul which got him an unnecessary booking.
Lucas Vazquez: 6/10
The forward should have received a penalty in the first few minutes of the game and also made some blistering runs which made life difficult for Barcelona's defence. Along with his attacking output, Vazquez tracked back well to increase the numbers for Real in defence.
Cristiano Ronaldo: 6/10
Ronaldo looked threatening at times in the first half as he forced a couple of routine saves from Ter Stegen in the first half. He was almost anonymous in the second half but looked a threat every time he got the ball.
Karim Benzema: 5/10
Another quiet evening for the Frenchman as the striker was left isolated because of lack of service and also because of some good defending. Benzema could have done better with a couple of half chances that he received in the game.
Substitutes
Casemiro: 6.5/10
He replaced Isco at the half hour mark as he made his much-awaited return from injury. He looked nervous at times in possession but improved as the game went on. His goal line clearance was vital in securing a point for the visitors.
Marcos Asensio: 5/10
The youngster replaced the disappointing Benzema but he also could not do anything worth mentioning in the match. He made some surging runs but could not muster any end product.
Mariano Diaz : N/A
After scoring a hat-trick in midweek against Cultural Leonesa, Diaz was expected to play a bigger role in the El Clasico but was introduced in the final stages of the match. He did not have enough time to make a mark on the proceedings.
