Bale denies 10-men Barcelona victory in ill-tempered El Clasico draw

Bengaluru, May 7: Gareth Bale saved Real Madrid the blushes as his first goal in an El Clasico denied newly-crowned La Liga champions Barcelona victory in an ill-tempered match which ended in a 2-2 stalemate at the Camp Nou after the the home side had Sergi Roberto sent off at the end of the first half.

This was the first 'El Clasico' in a decade which had no bearing on the title race but the game was still played with all the usual passion and tension which makes it the most famous club fixture in Europe.

Referee Alejando Hernandez Hernandez showed a total of eight yellow cards as well as the straight red for Roberto.

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Champions Barcelonaa have 87 points while Real are third in the Liga standings with 72 after 35 games. Atletico Madrid are second on 75 but have played one game more.

Do you think @FCBarcelona can remain unbeaten until the end of the season? 🤔#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/Tuh7Vp9peg

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) May 6, 2018

Luis Suarez volleyed unbeaten Barca into the lead after 10 minutes following a gut-busting run and cross from Roberto while Cristiano Ronaldo levelled for Champions League finalists Real five minutes later from close range.

However, the Portugal forward hurt his ankle in the process and was substituted at halftime.

Bale had risked getting sent off for raking his studs against Samuel Umtiti's leg but escaped without a booking on that occasion and Roberto was sent off moments later for hitting Marcelo following an off-the-ball tussle.

Lionel Messi scored a mesmerising, record-extending 26th goal in the Clasico to put 10-man Barca back in front after 52 minutes but Bale then silenced the Camp Nou with a thumping strike from the edge of the area.

#ElClasico is always a THRILLER! 😍#ElClasico 2-2 pic.twitter.com/r80PVSaj8o

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) May 6, 2018

Both sides pushed for a winner and Real could have had a penalty when Jordi Alba caught Marcelo but Barcelona clung on in what could possibly have been the final El Clasico showdown between Messi and Ronaldo to remain unbeaten in the league with three games to go.

Real refused to offer the traditional guard of honour to the champions before the game so Barca defender Gerard Pique asked the Catalan club's coaching staff to form two lines either side of his team mates as they left the pitch.

"This was a Clasico with nothing at stake but we saw a great game," said Real coach Zinedine Zidane

"We both went out to play well and win. We both played a great game and football is always the most important thing, not the controversy."

(With inputs from Agencies).