Football: Barcelona back in title race with "El Classico" win

ANKARA

Barcelona closed the gap at the top of Spain's La Liga by beating their rivals Real Madrid 4-3 in the "El Classico" in Madrid on Sunday. 

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta opened the scoring in the early minutes of the match but Real Madrid replied quickly with their French striker Karim Benzema, who found the net twice. Lionel Messi equalized three minutes before half-time.

Real Madrid took the lead again in the early minutes of the second-half when their Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo converted a penalty awarded when he was tripped by Barcelona's Brazilian defender Dani Alvez inside the penalty area.

In the 62nd minute, another penalty was awarded, this time to Barcelona, for a foul against Neymar. Messi took the penalty to make it 3-3.  

In 82nd minute, Iniesta was brought down in the box and the referee gave Barcelona another penalty. Lionel Messi found the net and determined the result of the match: 4-3.

Real Madrid, also known as "Los Galacticos", wasted their chance to increase their lead over Barcelona at the top of the league, which is now only one point, despite twice leading during the "El Clasico". Real Madrid also slipped into second place, level on points, behind local rivals Atletico Madrid.

englishnews@aa.com.tr