By Chris Wright
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to pass the great Alfredo Di Stefano to become El Clasico’s all-time top goalscorer on 19 goals and keeper Barcelona’s dwindling La Liga title tilt alive as the Catalans pipped Real Madrid 3-4 in a pulsating showcase fixture at the Bernabeu which had a little something for everyone.
Hat-trick? Penalties galore? Seven goals? Silly diving? Hammy play-acting? Pepe being a total arse for 90 minutes? A Sergio Ramos red card? Check, check, check, check, check aaaand check; the card-collecting Real Madrid centre-half seeing a straight red (the 19th of his career) for “tangling legs” with Neymar da Silva Santos Diver McDivertron Junior.
Seriously, the guy must have a “Sergio Ramos Early Bath Suite” set up especially for him at the Bernabeu by now.
A great game to watch as a neutral; mesmerising at times, infuriating at others. Spanish football in a nutshell.
[Not a valid template]Highlights….
By ‘eck, it’s all getting a bit tight at the top now…
(Photos: PA)