Gareth Bale rescues draw but 10-man Barcelona remain invincible

Gareth Bale rescued a point for Real Madrid at Camp Nou, but it was not enough to end Barcelona’s unbeaten run as the 10-man Catalans edged closer to a full Liga season without defeat.

Zinedine Zidane’s side wanted to be the ones to spoil their rivals’ party and they came close to doing so, with Real on top for much of the match following the sending off of Sergi Roberto at the end of the second half. But Barca did enough to preserve their streak.

Luis Suarez gave the hosts the lead after just 10 minutes, lashing home a volley from a Lionel Messi pass. But Real Madrid soon took control and equalised through Cristiano Ronaldo, who picked up a slight ankle sprain in bundling home a finish. That resulted in the forward being substituted at half time.

Roberto was shown red for a slap on Marcelo, handing Real the advantage. However, it was Barca who regained the lead, with Messi curling home a trademark strike from just inside the box. Bale equalised with 17 minutes left to play, but there was to be no winner for Real Madrid as Barcelona emerged from a feisty and unpredictable affair unscathed.

Which team was more hard done by the referee? Hernandez Hernandez didn’t exactly have the best of nights at the Camp Nou. With the exception of the red card shown to Roberto at the end of the first half, the referee got every big decision wrong, missing fouls, penalty kicks, late tackles, the lot. Bale should have been sent off, Alba could have seen red as well, there was a foul in the build up to Messi’s goal and Marcelo should have been awarded a penalty kick late on. So which team was more hard done by? They’ll debate that in the Spanish press in the days to come.

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid): This was a big chance for Bale. The Welshman has been a peripheral figure, for the most part, at Real Madrid this season, making the majority of his appearances off the bench. But Zidane opted for Bale against Barcelona and the 28-year-old delivered with his performance. He scored an equaliser for the visitors, although was fortunate to avoid a red card in the first half. Much of Real’s play came through Bale, particularly in the second half when Ronaldo was absent.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 6, Roberto 3, Pique 5, Umtiti 6, Alba 6, Busquets 5, Iniesta 6, Rakitic 6, Coutinho 5, Suarez 8, Messi 8. Subs: Alcacer 3, Paulinho 5, Semedo 6.

Real Madrid: Navas 8, Nacho 5, Ramos 6, Varane 5, Marcelo 7, Kroos 6, Modric 6, Bale 8, Benzema 7, Ronaldo 7. Subs: Asensio 6, Vazquez 5, Kovacic 3.

10’ - GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid. Barcelona have grabbed the first goal of the Clasico! There was a spare man at the back post and Roberto picked him out with a cross, finding Suarez with the cross. The striker finishes on the full volley to give the Catalans the lead!

15’ - GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid. An equaliser! Kroos stages a brilliant cross to the backpost, where Benzema heads across goal for Ronaldo to bundle home from close range under pressure from Pique! Real Madrid are level.

16’ - RONALDO DOWN! This is a worry for Real Madrid. Ronaldo is down on the ground after scoring that goal. He seemed to pick up a knock in a challenge with Pique as he scored that goal.

28’ - WHISTLES WIDE! Wow, that was close to a second for Real Madrid and Ronaldo. He took down a clipped pass and fired off a left foot shot. But the ball flashes just past the far post.

44’ - SHOCKING TACKLE! My word, Bale is lucky to still be on the pitch. He planted his studs in the back of Umtiti’s leg with the ball already gone. The Welsh winger didn’t even get a yellow! The referee must have missed it.

45’ - SENT OFF! Roberto has been shown a straight red card for an off the ball incident. The Barcelona right back appeared to punch Marcelo. It might have been more of a slap.

52’ - GOAL! Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid. Incredible! Barcelona are down to 10 men, but they have regained the lead! Suarez chases down a ball, passing to Messi, who skips past two challenges and bends a finish into the near corner of the net! Brilliant!

73’ - GOAL! Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid. What a finish from Bale and Real Madrid are back on level terms at the Camp Nou! Bale strikes a shot first time from just inside the box and finds the bottom corner of Ter Stegen's net with aplomb. Golazo!

Cristiano Ronaldo equalled Alfredo Di Stefano as the all-time Real Madrid top-scorer in El Clasico matches (in all competitions).

Real Madrid have now won just one of their last six Clasico games in which the BBC (Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo) have started (in all competitions).

Sergi Roberto became the first Barcelona player to be sent off in 50 La Liga matches at Camp Nou.