Real Madrid is defeated by Barcelona in the Clasico to deal a championship blow.

Barcelona snatched a 2-1 Clasico win over Real Madrid with Franck Kessie's late goal Sunday to move 12 points clear at the top of La Liga and close to lifting the title for the first time since 2019. The build-up to the match was overshadowed by Barcelona's corruption charge in the "Caso Negreira" refereeing scandal and Madrid's president Florentino Perez snubbed the game due to rising tensions between the two Spanish giants. Xavi asked fans to make the stadium a pressure cooker and they responded, selling it out, whistling Madrid in possession and conjuring one of the best atmospheres of the season. Madrid did not manage a single shot on target in their Copa del Rey semi-final first leg defeat by Barcelona earlier in March, but Karim Benzema stung Marc-Andre ter Stegen's palms inside the first minute. Robert Lewandowski responded at the other end by testing Thibaut Courtois as the veteran marksmen exchanged shots.

Araujo deflected Vinicius' cross in at the near post, with Ter Stegen helpless. It was the first goal from open play Barcelona have conceded at Camp Nou in La Liga all season long, and only the second strike at home and ninth overall. Barcelona complained defender Nacho should have been sent off for a hand-off on Raphinha, but were building up steam and found the breakthrough just before half-time. Sergi Roberto was in the right place at the right time to control a loose ball in the box and arc it beyond Courtois. Lewandowski sent a deflected piledriver narrowly wide as Madrid wobbled, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to roll the dice and bring on Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.

Asensio fired home what might have been the winner, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a nervy wait for VAR instruction. Kessie's last-gasp strike sparked wild celebrations at Camp Nou.