Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona – La Liga: Live score, team news and updates from El Clasico as Vinicius Jnr equalises from the penalty spot in El Clasico after Andreas Christensen’s early header

Advertisement

1695068341 765 Nottingham Forest 1 1 Burnley Premier League LIVE Callum Hudson Odoi
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

VAR CHECK! Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

It is another corner that causes Real Madrid problems and Lamine Yamal gets a tap after a low cross.

The ball appears to have crossed the line as Andriy Lunin tries to hit it away.

For some reason it’s VAR control, you can’t see from the camera angles if it’s over. So hard to call.

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

CLOSE TO! Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

Real Madrid has difficulty with Barcelona’s set pieces.

This time it does not end in a goal, but it is a Barcelona header that once again rises highest from a corner.

Ronald Araujo is the man who meets the set-piece, but his header goes narrowly over the crossbar.

He runs away with his hands holding his head, he knows how big that chance was.

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

The Bernanbeu is currently electric.

Once Vinicius Jr. scored the penalty, the stadium erupted and it hasn’t gotten quieter since.

The way things are going, they will be cheering again very soon. Real Madrid is all about the visitors.

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

GOAL!!! Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona (Vinicius Jr. 18′)

Vinicius Jr brings Real Madrid to the next level!

Marc-Andre Ter-Stegen guesses in the right direction, but the Madrid winger puts just enough force on the ball to get it past him.

The Brazilian drives away festively and points to the badge as if to say ‘this is my club’.

It is deserved, Madrid has been everywhere in Barcelona since the deficit.

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Brazilian forward #07 Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates his goal from the penalty spot during the Spanish football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on April 21, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP) ( Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

PUNISHMENT FOR REAL MADRID!

Lucas Vasquez goes down and the referee points to the spot.

The right-back dances around Joao Cancelo before being brought down by Pau Cubarsi. VAR checks, but they would always be given.

Vinicius Jr will arrive on the scene.

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

OPPORTUNITY! Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona

Real Madrid responded well to falling behind.

Vinicius Jr. comes close again, this time with his head as he grabs Toni Kroos’ free kick. His effort goes over the bar.

Toni Rudiger was not happy with Vinicius, he lurked behind him and could attack the ball better.

Real Madrid's German defender No. 22 Antonio Rudiger (above L), Barcelona's Spanish defender No. 33 Pau Cubarsi (above C) and Real Madrid's Brazilian striker No. 07 Vinicius Junior compete for a header during the Spanish league match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on April 21, 2024. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP) (Photo by THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid's German defender No. 22 Antonio Rudiger reacts as Real Madrid's Brazilian striker No. 07 Vinicius Junior lies on the pitch during the Spanish football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on April 21, 2024. (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP) (Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

OPPORTUNITY! Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona

Almost an immediate response from Real Madrid.

Aurelian Tchouameni shoots a nice ball in over the top and Vinicius Junior stretches, but he shoots narrowly over the bar.

That was the host’s first attack, what a response that would have been.

1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

GOAL!!! Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona (Christensen 6′)

I shouldn’t have been so harsh on Andreas Christensen, he’s just headed Barcelona ahead.

The defensive midfielder rises above Toni Kroos at the back post and the corner sails over Andriy Lunin to head into an empty net.

Barca couldn’t have hoped for a better start.

Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v FC Barcelona - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 21, 2024 FC Barcelona's Andreas Christensen scores their first goal REUTERS/Susana Vera
Football – LaLiga – Real Madrid v FC Barcelona – Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain – April 21, 2024 FC Barcelona's Andreas Christensen celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Susana Vera
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

Real Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

Andreas Christensen seems to have gained confidence from his goal against PSG in the Champions League.

The former Chelsea man tries his luck from outside the area but it goes miles over the bar.

As he picked up the ball, in my head I thought, ‘Don’t shoot.’ Therefore…

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

Real Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

Almost a catastrophic mistake from Andriy Lunin.

Under pressure from Robert Lewandowski, the Ukrainian goalkeeper passes the ball directly to Raphinha.

However, the Brazilian winger could not keep the ball under control and Real Madrid managed to clear the ball.

That would have been a terrible start for the hosts.

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

KICK-OFF: Real Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

Another small awards ceremony before we start, Vinicius Junior receives his Player of the Month award.

Barcelona then lets us go after a minute of silence.

I’m excited for this one!

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Real Madrid and FC Barcelona players enter the pitch ahead of kick-off for the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

Here come the teams!

Wow, just listen to the Bernabeu.

The Real Madrid fans are ready for this, singing their anthem ‘Hala Madrid y nada mas’ with everything they can muster.

The atmosphere in these games is always incredible, chilling even.

The teams seem ready on the field, we’re almost there!

MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona enters the pitch prior to kick-off for the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v FC Barcelona - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - April 21, 2024 Real Madrid fans react in the stands before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

Welcome back!

Thanks for the kind words, Ryan!

I hope you all like it. You will be stuck with me for the next two hours and more.

It promises to be an exceptional football evening, it doesn’t get much bigger than El Clasico.

It’s a pleasure to cover it, we’re just moments away from what could be an epic evening.

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

Time for a switch

Yes, just like in football, Mail Sport is making a change,

It’s time for me to go and I go to my colleague Harry Bamforth for the match coverage and reaction.

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

10 minutes until kick-off

We’re just 10 minutes away from kick-off in Spain and you can follow every key moment of the match with us here.

We’ll also have expert analysis to guide you beyond the match, so stick with us for what we hope will be a fire starter of an El Clasico.

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

The warm-ups are completed

1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

Both teams are suffering from a Champions League hangover

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have endured tough midweek games in the Champions League, but with vastly different outcomes that could impact today.

The visitors were brutally knocked out of the competition by Paris Saint-Germain, while Madrid knocked out holders Man City on penalties in Manchester.

Barcelona’s players didn’t have to play the extra 30 minutes or the other minutes that Madrid did, but expect the hosts to still ride a wave after their quarter-final victory.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg between Manchester City and Real Madrid CF at the Etihad Stadium on April 17, 2024 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Barcelona's Spanish midfielder No. 08 Pedri, Barcelona's Spanish striker No. 07 Ferran Torres and Barcelona's Polish striker No. 09 Robert Lewandowski react at the end of the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League football match between FC Barcelona and Paris SG at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Josep LAGO/AFP) (Photo by JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

What happened during the last El Clasico?

Real Madrid celebrated a 2-1 away win in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but will face a Barcelona side who have improved enormously since the turn of the year.

Jude Bellingham scored twice on that day in October and the Madrid star will be desperate to get back on the scoresheet today in what is shaping up to be a seriously lively Santiago Bernabeu.

MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 10: Real Madrid player Jude Bellingham in action during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Girona FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 10, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.  (Photo by Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Mandatory credits: Photo by Agencia LOF/Action Plus/Shutterstock (14307970bi) Jude Bellingham scores the goal for 1-2 from the penalty spot;  Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain, Spanish La Liga football, Real Madrid vs Almeria.  Real Madrid v Almeria, La Liga, Football, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain - January 21, 2024
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

What does today mean for the title race?

Essentially, a win for Real Madrid today will put them virtually out of reach of Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are already eight points clear at the top of the table after watching Girona’s early season run and will move 11 points clear today if they beat Barcelona.

Xavi’s traveling Catalans need to win to keep the pressure on Madrid and anything short of three points won’t do much for their title bid.

BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 16: Raphinha and FC Barcelona head coach .  (Photo by Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates after the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid CF at the Etihad Stadium on April 17, 2024 in Manchester, England.  (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
1698698861 81 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take
1698698856 309 Ballon dOr 2023 ceremony LIVE Lionel Messi set to take

Good evening and thank you for attending El Clasico

Hello and thank you for joining us on this beautiful Sunday evening for the second LaLiga El Classico of the season, as Real Madrid welcome arch-rivals Barcelona to the beautiful Santiago Bernabeu!

Kick-off is at 8 p.m. and we still have plenty to do before then!

Important updates

  • GOAL!!! Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona (Vinicius Jr. 18′)

  • GOAL!!! Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona (Christensen 6′)

  • KICK-OFF: Real Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

  • BARCELONA TEAM NEWS

  • REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS

  • Good evening and thank you for attending El Clasico


Transfer News LIVE Romeo Lavia set to undergo Chelsea medical