FC Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid: Player Ratings

Sunday saw one of the most hotly contested El Clasicos in years. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid shared the honours in a 2-2 draw at Camp Nou. Though there was little riding on this game other than bragging rights, the players fought hard to come out on top.

Luis Suarez gave Barcelona the lead in the 10th minute. Real Madrid scored the equalizer five minutes later through Cristiano Ronaldo. The turning point of the match came when Sergi Roberto was sent off for what appeared to be a slap on Marcelo, right on the stroke of half-time.

Despite being a man down, Lionel Messi waltzed past the Real Madrid defenders to score the second for Barcelona. Gareth Bale equalized soon after to make it an exciting end to the match.

Let us analyze the final El Clasico of this season in greater detail and discuss how every player performed in the 2-2 draw:

Real Madrid

Keylor Navas: 8/10

Navas was exceptionally quick to get off his line on numerous occasions. He made two brilliant one on one saves which effectively kept his side in the hunt. The Costa Rican also cannot be held at fault for both the goals conceded.

Nacho Fernandez: 6/10

Playing in an unorthodox right back position, Nacho held his ground defensively. But he could not offer anything going forward and was hence substituted for Lucas Vazquez.

Raphael Varane: 7/10

Another game and another solid outing for the Frenchman. Varane was calm in possession and was dominating in the air, winning all 3 of his aerial duels. He was fouled by Suarez in the build-up to the second Barcelona goal.

Sergio Ramos: 7/10

Ramos won 100% of his tackles on the night (3/3) and was dependable as ever at the back. Barcelona tried his best through Suarez to rile him up but surprisingly, Ramos held his nerve. The captain also received a customary Clasico booking.

Marcelo: 5/10

Marcelo left acres of space for Sergi Roberto to surge ahead and create the first goal for Barcelona. Though he was impressive going forward, Marcelo was again found wanting without the ball. But, the Brazilian could have won a penalty late in the game when Alba fouled him in the box.

Casemiro: 7/10

The Brazilian played the destructor's role to perfection. He stopped multiple Barcelona attacks in the bud and did all the dirty work that was needed. Casemiro retained the ball back seven times on the night, helping Real Madrid in transitions.

Toni Kroos: 7/10

The German was crucial in controlling the pace for Real Madrid. He also played a huge part in starting the move for the first goal. He put in a diagonal cross to Ronaldo, went ahead, overlapped him and then delivered a pinpoint cross to Karim Benzema.

Luka Modric: 6/10

Modric put in a great shift and worked tirelessly for his side. But the Croatian could not influence proceedings in the final third as much as he would have hoped for.

Gareth Bale: 6/10

The Welshman had to defend for a majority of the first half to track back Jordi Alba's runs. His attacking output increased after the break and was now much more involved in the game. Bale scored the all-important equalizer in the 72nd minute, curling a first time shot past Ter Stegen.

But he was extremely lucky to stay on the field as his stamp on Samuel Umtiti certainly looked like a straight red.

Karim Benzema: 7/10

Benzema impressed with his effective link-up play and holding up the ball against the strength of Pique and Umtiti. He brought his teammates into play and delivered a selfless performance. It was the Frenchman who delivered the assist for the first goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo: 8/10

Ronaldo looked livelier than ever before in the game. Going wide, he troubled the right side of Barcelona defence to great lengths. He played a huge role in the buildup to the first goal by making the pass to Kroos and then running to the right position to score from close range.

He had to be taken off at halftime due to an ankle injury. Until then, he was Real Madrid's best player. Ronaldo also had a number of good chances to increase his tally on the night.

Substitutions

Marco Asensio: 8/10

Asensio injected pace into Real Madrid's attacking unit after Ronaldo's departure. He was sharp with his passing and incisive with his runs. The Spaniard also provided a smart assist for Gareth Bale's equalizer.

Lucas Vazquez: 5/10

Vazquez replaced Nacho at the right wing back position in a 3-5-2 system in the second half. But he could not influence much going forward.

Matteo Kovacic: 6/10

The Croatian is fighting for his place next season and showed that hunger in his ten minute cameo. Kovacic won the ball back and drove forward with it in the dying stages.

FC Barcelona

Marc Andre Ter Stegen: 7/10

The German was quick in recycling possession and made a couple of fine one on one saves. Unfortunately, he could not do anything more for both the goals conceded.

Sergi Roberto: 4/10

Roberto was superb for Barcelona in the first 45 minutes. He completed 3 dribbles in the first half, got past Marcelo with ease and was positioned high up the pitch. But he lost his cool in an altercation with Marcelo and was given the marching orders to what looked like a slap on the Brazilian.

The replays were inconclusive but Marcelo was expected to make the most of it. Barcelona had to change their tactics after his moment of madness.

Gerard Pique: 7/10

Pique seemed in distress for the majority of the time but carried on and again produced a fine defensive performance. He won 7 duels, made 5 clearances and won 4/4 of his tackles.

Samuel Umtiti: 6/10

It was a no-nonsense performance from the defender who looked at ease against a barrage of Real Madrid's attacks in the second half. Umtiti suffered a terrible foul from Bale but remained calm in the aftermath.

Jordi Alba: 5/10

Alba could not get the better of Nacho despite getting in good positions. His end product was also below par. Alba was lucky not to give away a penalty late in the game and was extremely fortunate to survive a booking despite looking to grab Modric by the throat.

Sergio Busquets: 6/10

Busquets pressed with intent in the first half and helped his side in regaining possession. But in a frantic game like this, Busquets was unable to assert his usual influence on the game.

Ivan Rakitic: 8/10

Rakitic was truly up for this game! He showed intent to win the ball back and desire to fight for lost causes. He also was useful in possession, completing 93% of his passes which included 2 key ones. With or without the ball, Rakitic influenced Barcelona's cause.

Andres Iniesta: 6/10

Playing in his final Clasico, Iniesta looked sharp in the first half. But with a man down, he started to show signs of tiredness early in the second half. Iniesta had to be taken off for Paulinho to inject some pace in Barcelona's midfield.

Philippe Coutinho: 5/10

Coutinho played majorly on the right in the first half and hardly had any luck with the ball at his feet. But he pressed with intent and complemented Roberto well on the right flank. At the break, he was sacrificed to bring Nelson Semedo on the field.

Lionel Messi: 9/10

It seems as if this game is meant for Lionel Messi to shine twice a season. The Argentine was brilliant from start to finish, scoring and creating in equal measures. He utilized the half spaces between the defence and the midfield to his advantage and made some brilliant incisive passes.

Messi took his goal expertly too, getting past two defenders and finding the back of the net without ever looking up. He could have added another to his tally but Navas made a fine save against him.

Luis Suarez: 8/10

Suarez scored the opener through a side-foot volley and then delivered the assist for the second goal. He worked tirelessly for his side and tried his best to carve out openings for Messi.

But keeping true to his usual self, Suarez also tried his best to rile up the opponents and also made the most of the slightest of touches.

Substitutions

Nelson Semedo: 7/10

Replacing Coutinho and taking the place of Roberto, the youngster put in a great shift. He was solid defensively and offered width on the right whenever necessary.

Paulinho: 7/10

He injected pace in Barcelona's tiring midfield and could have got a goal straightaway but narrowly missed to get to the end of Semedo's low cross. Paulinho was crucial in this one to keep Barcelona's unbeaten run going strong.

Paco Alcacer: N/A

The striker came on in stoppage time.

Edited by Nishant Jayaram