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Leaders of La Liga, Barcelona won tight and tense Clasico 1-0 at Real Madrid on Saturday, defeating their rivals at home in Bernabeu for the second time in four days and 12 points ahead of the standings.
Croatian international Ivan Rakitic scored the only goal in the middle of the first half, offering a nice finish to Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after a fine pass from Sergi Roberto.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez were largely silent against the champions, whose defenders Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet were the heroes, bravely putting their bodies in the smothering Madrid.
"We will all enjoy this evening as few teams can claim to have won twice in four days at the Bernabeu," said the match winner, Rakitic.
"We have worked very hard to win this victory and we deserve it, you have to fight, you have to get involved and we are very happy.
"Every game is different, we did our homework well after the last game, we created a bit of danger in that first half, then we played in the second, but winning here is always perfect."
The win, which followed Barca's 3-0 win over Real in the Copa del Rey semifinals on Wednesday, gave them a 10-point lead over Atletico Madrid, who visited Real Sociedad on Sunday. put an end to third place. The title of Real hopes.
The win also took Barca ahead Real in the history books, with 96 wins in the Clasico 95 for their rivals, while they recorded for the first time four consecutive victories in the league.
Real had to think of a third consecutive home defeat in all competitions for the first time since 2004 and has only one realistic goal for this season: retain the Champions League they have been monopolizing since 2016.
Winning the biggest prize in Europe could also be the last chance for coach Santiago Solari to keep his position while his team played well here and in World Cup defeat, losing twice to Barca and losing 12 points behind them is not what Real Madrid tolerate.
"The two matches have been very intense and we have made a lot of effort, we have had opportunities, but when you do not find a goal, things escape you," said Real captain Sergio Ramos.
"This is obviously a huge step forward for Barca.Unfortunately, the title escapes us, but we will continue to fight until the end."
Madrid was less likely to be confused than in Wednesday's 3-0 defeat in the semi-finals of the Cup. The Brazilian teenager Vinicius Jr represented again their most dangerous threat, but he was again left behind.
Vinicius soon crushed the left flank of the Barca, while Real led the match at Barca, but when the ball fell Luka Modric, Spades quickly managed to block the danger, which became a familiar sight as the game progressed.
Barca could have taken the advantage when Messi hooked on a pass and cleared the goal, albeit from a difficult angle, but his shot deflected.
Rakitic found himself in a similar position shortly thereafter, but he kept his cool, stopping Courtois calmly to score.
Barca was furious at halftime when Real captain Sergio Ramos hit in the face after winning a tackle, but the Spaniard escaped a booking, though he was later sent a yellow card. the part.
It was a rare moment in an unusual match between the two biggest Spanish clubs.
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