Real Madrid came back from a goal down to gain a small moral victory against Barcelona in El Clasico tonight, but the 1-1 score is still favorable to the Blaugranas. While Real Madrid will likely have confidence that they can succeed going into the other three Clasicos over the next three weeks, the 2010-2011 La Liga title race is now done and dusted with Los Blancos' failure to seal all three points.
Real Madrid Vs. Barcelona 2011, El Clasico: 1-1 Full Time, Cristiano Ronaldo Penalty Gives Los Blancos A Small Moral Victory
They were lucky to get a draw, though, as Lionel Messi's penalty, coupled with a red card early in the second half looked to all but lock up a Barcelona win. In the 51st minute, Raul Albiol hauled down David Villa in the box, and in the judgment of the referee, denied a clear goal scoring opportunity in doing so. As a result, Barcelona were awarded a penalty, which Messi converted, and Albiol was shown a straight red card. With ten men, Real Madrid had an incredibly uphill battle in front of them.
The hosts did well to get back into the game, though, as Marcelo drew a penalty kick from Daniel Alves in the 80th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up and converted to give his side hope, and they would come very close to winning the match.
Sami Khedira almost scored the winner in the 89th minute, but it was not to be for the German international and his teammates. Substitute Mesut Özil did brilliantly to beat Seydou Keita and slip a through ball down the right for Emmanuel Adebayor, who cut the ball back to a waiting Khedira at the top of the box. He hit a powerful shot, but it went right into the stomach of Victor Valdes.
The momentum arguably belongs to Real Madrid heading into the Copa Del Rey final if one chooses to look at this game as the first in a season defining series, but what is likely more important is that the La Liga title is now all but mathematically lost.
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