Lionel Messi was the man to score two season-defining goals for Barcelona on Sunday night in El Clasico, with the Argentine star single-handedly winning all three points in a game that threatened to shut the La Liga title race down.
Also Read: La Liga 2016/17: Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona, 5 Talking Points from El Clasico
His celebrations provoked controversy, but there can be no mistake that his performance with the ball at his feet was something to behold, as the 10 men of Real Madrid threw away what could have been a very important point in the grand scheme of things in second-half stoppage time.
Real Madrid
Keylor Navas - 9/10
Navas made a number of fantastic saves to ensure that his team had a chance of taking home a share of the spoils until the very dying embers of the game. He could do nothing about Barcelona’s goals at all. The Real Madrid goalkeeper didn’t command his area brilliantly, but his shot stopping was exemplary.
Dani Carvajal - 7/10
A threat when breaking forward down the right-hand side, Carvajal enjoyed cutting back crosses from the byline during periods when Real Madrid were on top. He struggled to deal with Messi, however, and was beaten by the Argentine easily for his first goal.
Sergio Ramos - 4/10
The Los Blancos captain let his side down by picking up a needless and rash red card for a dangerous two-footed lunge on Messi in the second half. Otherwise, he didn’t do much wrong in a game where his side had previously protected Keylor Navas quite well.
Nacho - 6/10
Nacho made a couple of important interceptions in deep areas for the home side, with Luis Suarez not getting a great deal of joy against Sergio Ramos and his central defensive partner.
Marcelo - 6/10
The left-back whipped in some brilliant deliveries from the left-hand side from advanced areas, asking questions of the visiting defence. In his own half, however, the Brazilian lacked a bit of steel and could have cynically brought down Sergi Roberto to prevent the winning goal.
Luka Modric - 7/10
Full of energy in midfield, Modric was important for any quick breaks upfield from the home side that passed through the centre of the field. He worked hard in both directions to try and offer some dynamism and drive.
Casemiro - 7/10
The Brazilian midfielder put in a lot of poor tackles, but always with the intention of ending dangerous moves that were threatening Real Madrid. He was fortunate to not see red for a few questionable challenges on Lionel Messi over the 90 minutes.
Toni Kroos - 4/10
A very anonymous performance from the Germany international and he couldn’t make up for his lack of contribution to open play with his set-piece deliveries. A forgettable night for the ex-Bayern Munich midfielder, who didn’t get the tempo under his own control.
Gareth Bale - 5/10
Forced off with an injury, after his calf problem flared up once again, Bale didn't look sharp enough and struggled to offer any kind of quality in the final third. Appeared to be a mistake that Zidane chose to start the Wales international.
Karim Benzema - 5/10
Very anonymous performance from the French striker, who didn’t manage to create too much aside from linking up occasionally with Cristiano Ronaldo. He continues to struggle to find the back of the net in any other competition other than the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo - 7/10
The Portuguese ace had a brilliant opening half an hour and looked a real threat with his direct running and explosive power. Ronaldo couldn’t turn a couple of good opportunities into a vital goal, but the Portuguese continues to look in excellent physical shape for the title race.
Substitutes
Marco Asensio - 8/10
His direct running caused all kinds of problems for the away side, and he should have picked up an assist for his contributions to a move that ended with Ronaldo blasting over the crossbar. He was his side’s main threat and he gave belief to his own fans too.
Mateo Kovacic - 5/10
Kovacic didn’t track back well enough to help try and prevent Messi’s stoppage-time winner, with the Croatia international’s only real contribution to the game being a cynical tackle on the Argentine forward for which he picked up a yellow card.
James Rodriguez - 7/10
Fired home a close-range finish at the near post to give 10-man Real Madrid half a chance of taking home a point. He looked dangerous when drifting infield from the right-hand side to use his left foot, and could be in for more minutes soon.
Barcelona
Marc-Andre ter Stegen - 9/10
The Germany international made a whole host of excellent saves to ensure that Barcelona weathered plenty of storms that were imposed on them by the home side. An excellent performance in a season that keeps improving for him.
Sergi Roberto - 8/10
His bursting run from his own half helped to set up the move from which Messi scored the winner, with the Spanish utility man coming up big for his team when it counted most once again. Struggled defensively at times, but his contribution in stoppage time can’t be overlooked.
Gerard Pique - 6/10
Pique went close to scoring an important goal with his head, but was denied by Navas, with the Barcelona centre-back doing quite well to keep Karim Benzema quiet in a game that the French striker offered very little in.
Samuel Umtiti - 7/10
The Frenchman was very strong in the tackle and was important in stepping out to challenge whoever was driving at the Barcelona defence. Unafraid to step out from the back four with the ball at his feet to try and make the visitors’ numerical advantage count in the late stages.
Jordi Alba - 7/10
Alba provided a great assist from an advanced area of the field to make it 3-2 to Barcelona, with the left-back continuing to kick on brilliantly after a spell outside of Luis Enrique’s first-team plans. He struggled against Marco Asensio at times, but was excellent when allowed to push on.
Ivan Rakitic - 7/10
Rakitic fired home a brilliant goal to make it 2-1 to Blaugrana, picking his spot with his left to fire a brilliant effort across Navas and inside the far post. The Croatian was full of energy and covered a lot for Sergi Roberto defensively when Real Madrid attacked down their left.
Sergio Busquets - 8/10
The Spaniard did lose James when the Colombian midfielder found the back of the net to make it 2-2, but otherwise the Spain international was always an option when Barcelona were on the ball and broke up play impressively when they were in search of it.
Andres Iniesta - 6/10
Kept the ball well and was always keen to try and open play up or change the tempo of the attack, but the veteran midfielder didn’t have any decisive contributions to make on the night at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Lionel Messi - 9/10
Fired home two excellent finishes to win the game for Barcelona, with the Argentine star given plenty of rough treatment from the likes of Casemiro, Sergio Ramos and Mateo Kovacic. His direct dribbling caused all kinds of problems in between the lines for Los Blancos.
Paco Alcacer - 4/10
Missed a brilliant chance to find the back of the net, stabbing a low finish within the reach of Keylor Navas when it looked easier to score. He tried to contribute to build-up play, but he didn’t offer a great deal of quality in the final third.
Luis Suarez - 6/10
The former Liverpool man didn’t have too many chances of note, but worked hard with his movement to try and open up spaces for others. Linked up on the edge of the penalty area where possible, but did struggle for personal space.
Substitutes
Andre Gomes - 5/10
Gomes gave the ball away on occasion and struggled to really provide any dangerous driving force in the final third from out on the left. Filled in defensively and did play a minor role in the winning goal, after linking up well with Jordi Alba.
