Real Madrid was losing 2:0 after just seven minutes into the game and Luka Modrić was the latest victim of Messi’s famous skills. What happened in the US edition of El Clásico?
El Clásico was played across the Atlantic for the first time 35 years last night, filling the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. And while in 1982 Real Madrid celebrated a 1-0 in Venezuela, this time Barcelona came out on top, defeating Madrid 3-2 in a brilliant match, reports 24 Sata on July 30, 2017.
This stateside El Clásico began on a high note, depending on which team you support, of course. Just three minutes in, Barcelona’s Messi made a fool of Croatian captain and Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modrić, sending the Croat into shambles after Messi’s classic footwork gave Barcelona the lead for 1:0.
Messi scores what is surely his biggest El Clasico goal to date #Messi #ElClasicoMiami #Barcelona pic.twitter.com/K4Cm3JIRqM
— Dave (@DesTaquito) July 30, 2017
In the seventh minute, it was already 2:0 for Barcelona, leaving many to wonder where Madrid had left their integrity. Again, the Catalans made a quick move on Madrid, and Neymar's ball somehow shifted all the way to Croatia's Ivan Rakitić who hit a rocket into the bottom right corner of Navas' goal.
Ivan Rakitic with a smooth strike to put Barcelona up 2-0 early on #ICC2017 #ElClasicoMiami pic.twitter.com/6QzQuulMmE
— Dave (@DesTaquito) July 30, 2017
Just four minutes later, our Croatian “Rocket” was close to ringing in another goal after an almost an identical action on the pitch, but this time the ball sunk past the Madrid goalkeeper. Suárez threatened Navas just one minute after that, but the eight-meter blow, fortunately, missed the goal. The game remained open - it is El Clásico, after all.
And then the Croatians came out to play.
Real Madrid didn’t have any real chances in this first part of the match, but that was only until Croatia's Mateo Kovačić broke Barca’s defense, sending a 25-meter shot into the back of the net for 2:1. Game on.
Raining goals, Kovacic slots one home #ICC2017 #ElClasicoMiami #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/2IrZNdemIg
— Dave (@DesTaquito) July 30, 2017
While Madrid’s Asensio had a great opportunity to score the equalizer in the 19th minute, his shot from roughly 14 meters out was unlucky.
It wasn’t until the 29th minute when things got exciting again, but the attack of Suarez and Neymar, whose 14-meter strike went past the goal, left the score 2:1.
Real Madrid then came out to play in the 36th minute when Kovačič assisted Asensio for 2-2.
Asensio scores to tie #ElClasicoMiami 2-2, calm finish #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/B1imuUGlGt
— Dave (@DesTaquito) July 30, 2017
In the 50th minute, the Catalans put this Clásico to bed when Pique finished off a set-piece from Neymar. Real Madrid was not able to recover, and the match ended 3:2 for Barcelona.
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane replaced Modrić at halftime while Rakitić left the pitch in the 73rd minute and Kovačić just one minute later.
You can watch the full game highlights below.
