Championship legue

Ten-man Madrid fight back to deny Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half penalty helped ten-man Real Madrid CF earn a hard-fought point against FC Barcelona after Lionel Messi had opened the scoring from the spot.

The first of four tussles between Spanish giants Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona ended all square as the ten-man hosts came from behind to earn a share of the spoils at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Barcelona had been on course for victory after Raúl Albiol brought down David Villa in the box and Lionel Messi converted from the spot, but Cristiano Ronaldo's 82nd-minute penalty meant Josep Guardiola's side were unable to extend their eight-point lead at the top of the table.
The opening Clásico instalment started in a cagey manner with both sides feeling their way into the contest before Barcelona's plentiful possession began to take its toll. Andrés Iniesta, so often at the heart of Barça's slick attacking play, lofted a delightful pass over Madrid's square defence for Messi, but the Argentinian forward failed to lift the ball beyond the onrushing Iker Casillas. Moments later, the Madrid No1 was on hand again to deny the Liga's leading marksman at his near post.