FC Barcelona takes a big step towards the coronation. Barça won on the wire the return clasico counting for the 26th day of La Liga (2-1) against Real Madrid, Sunday, March 19. The Catalan club is now twelve points ahead with twelve days to go.

In a packed Camp Nou (95,745 spectators, season record), the Catalans started the game badly, with a goal against his side from Ronald Araujo, who deflected a Vinicius centre into his own box in the 9th minute, then equalised just before half-time, thanks to a goal from the right of Sergi Roberto. well placed at the fall of a countered strike.

And in extra time (90th+2), Kessié, who was tipped to start the game in place of Sergi Roberto (whom he replaced in the 77th minute), delivered the Catalans from a recovery of the flat right foot after a center of Alejandro Balde.

Joined by the entire bench and all his teammates, the Ivorian midfielder arrived from AC Milan celebrated his goal with effusion in front of the boiling north corner of Camp Nou.

An unexpected end to the match: a few minutes earlier, Xavi's men thought they had lost this 253rd clasico in history. Because in the 81st, Marco Asensio, barely entered the game (76th in place of Fede Valverde) thought to offer victory to Madrid... But his goal from the left, similar to Kessié's goal, was overturned by the video referee due to an offside position.

Next clash: the semi-final return of the King's Cup

Off the field, this shock was tinged with controversy. Madrid have joined the lawsuits against the Catalans for alleged attempts to influence referees.

The most watched club match in the world made Barça the first team in the world to reach the hundred-win mark against the "White House".

Real can almost already say goodbye to their Spanish league crown, which now seems destined for Xavi's Barca and will soon have to focus on the Champions League, where they will face Chelsea in the quarters.

But the two teams will meet again very quickly: from April 5, in the semi-final return of the Copa del Rey at Camp Nou, Real will have the opportunity to erase this setback and rebalance the accounts. Because this season, the Catalans have won three of the four clasicos played.

With AFP and Reuters

The summary of the week France 24 invites you to look back on the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news with you everywhere! Download the France 24 app