Zlatan Ibrahimovic comes off the bench to score Barcelona's winner against Real Madrid
Swedish supersub Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero as 10-man Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in an enthralling 'El Clasico' at Camp Nou to move top of the table by two points yesterday.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who was exceptional, both started but it was Ibrahimovic, back from injury, who stole the limelight volleying in a 56th minute winner just five minutes after coming on.
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Barca were reduced to 10 men when Sergi Busquets stupidly handballed just after the hour mark and needed some heroics from captain Carles Puyol.
Real missed some clear-cut chances with Ronaldo spurning a glorious chance to put Real ahead after just 19 minutes.
"We had so many chances so I don't think 1-0 is a fair result," said Real captain Iker Casillas. "I don't really care about the image we portrayed I care about winning games but the luck wasn't with us tonight."
It was a third successive Clasico win for Barca who are still unbeaten this season and nudge Real off the summit holding a two-point lead over their rivals.
Ronaldo started for the first time since the end of September with his ankle holding up. Karim Benzema dropped to the bench and was joined by captain Raul.
Barcelona started with Messi who shrugged off a thigh strain but Ibrahimovic was on the bench with a thigh strain of his own so Thierry Henry kept his place in attack.
It was touted as the Clasico between Real's 'Galacticos', the most expensive team on the planet, and the homegrown talent of Barca's 'cantera' who the most successful team on the planet last season when they won a unique treble.
Real were second best in terms of possession and Messi looked match fit as he thrust at the Real defence twisting Pepe inside out but Henry's poor low shot ended the danger.
On 19 minutes Ronaldo should have scored after Kaka cut inside before sliding the ball across goal but Ronaldo's side-footed shot was saved brilliantly by Victor Valdes using his trailing foot.
Ibrahimovic came on for Henry minutes into the second half and had an immediate impact on his Clasico debut scoring the opener five minutes after coming on.
Dani Alves curled a delightful ball across the face of goal and Ibrahimovic arrived on cue guiding a left-footed volley past Casillas.
Barca looked in control but Busquets was then sent off for handball just after the hour mark and Pep Guardiola was furious with his midfielder.
Real substitute Raul skied from right in front of goal while Casillas pulled off a wonder save to deny Messi at the death.
Down to ten men Barca still attacked although Real had chances with Ronaldo heading over and Puyol producing another great block to thwart Benzema.
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