The first half would end up finishing goalless, although both teams fashioned great chances to break the deadlock in the minutes leading up the interval; and the second half started off in much the same vein. minutes after that let-off Barca took the lead in an incident that also Madrid reduced to 10 men.
In the 51st minute, Villa was dragged to the ground by Albiol as the two tussled for a through-ball, and this time Muniz Fernandez had no doubts as he pointed to the spot and issued last-man Albiol with a red card.
That gave Messi the chance to score his 49th goal of a record-breaking season in all competitions, as the Argentina forward duly obliged, firing his penalty high into the Madrid net.
Despite playing with a man less, Madrid still created chances and Angel Di Maria blazed one opening over before Pepe failed to convert a clear opening at the far post following a corner.With time running out Barca looked on course to equal the record of six successive Clasico victories, set by Madrid in the 1960s.
However, Madrid continued to fight and they were rewarded in the 81st minute when they were awarded a penalty following a challenge by Dani Alves on his fellow Brazilian Marcelo in the area.
Barca protested but, after their appeals had been turned down, Ronaldo coolly stepped up to send Valdes the wrong way and earn Madrid a morale-boosting draw - even if the result means Barca remain firmly on course for a third successive league title.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Mourinho said: "In the first-half, the two teams were equal. We played compact and kept our shape throughout. A win is a win and a draw is a draw but we will take the positives from this game.
"What we want is to have equal decisions for both teams. The rules are the same and I am tired of playing matches with ten men. Raul Albiol will miss the cup final for a foul that was nothing."
The Portuguese, who had sarcastically remarked before the game that he was preparing his side to play with 10 men - was incensed that Alves had not been sent off with a second yellow for the foul on Marcelo.
Alves: It was not a penaltyBarcelona looked to be on their way to a second El Clasico win of the season until the 82nd minute when Alves was penalised for bringing down Marcelo.
Cristiano Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot as Real snatched a point from what was a fractious encounter.
Speaking to the press after the game, Alves was incensed with the penalty decision.
We do not usually talk about referees but sometimes we have to. They try to do their job and usually it goes well but other times they make mistakes. It was not a penalty. I won the ball cleanly," said the right-back.
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