Barcelona, Mar 22 (EFE).- FC Barcelona emerged with a hardfought 2-1 victory over Real Madrid on Sunday at Camp Nou as the two top teams in the Spanish soccer league standings – and arguably the biggest rivalry in the sport – squared off in the latest edition of “El Clasico.”

Barcelona, now with 69 points in the rankings, thus increased its lead to four points over the Madrid squad in an agonizing, nail-biting match – with 11 yellow cards issued but nobody being ejected – in which Real blew a good chance to secure the win in the first half.

It was Barcelona who got on the board first on a free kick by Lionel Messi after Pepe fouled Luis Suarez just outside the penalty area. Messi set up Jeremy Matheiu, who headed it in past Iker Casillas in the 19th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo got the right combination in the 31st minute on a right-footed shot that beat goaltender Claudio Bravo and tied the match up, where matters remained at the half.

Then it was Dani Alves in the 56th minute who fired a great long shot from centerfield to Suarez, who finessed it past two Real Madrid defenders and eased it into the net for the gamewinning tally.

A sellout total of 98,760 fans viewed the match live at Camp Nou, but the international viewership was said by at least one source – beIN Sports – to be in excess of 1 billion. EFE