Supersub wins Clasico for Barca

• Source: Global Times
• [22:06 November 30 2009]
• Comments

Barcelona's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates his goal during their La Liga game against Real Madrid at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona Monday. Photo: AFP

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 Monday.

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.

"It is such a great feeling especially after just coming back from injury," beamed Ibrahimovic. "The cross from Dani (Alves) was brilliant and I just slotted it in."

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," Real captain Iker Casillas told reporters. "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.