Messi vs Ronaldo Clásico draw ends in stalemate

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Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo matched each other blow for blow at the Nou Camp last night, bagging two goals apiece as Barcelona and Real Madrid battled out an entertaining draw in the first Clásico of the La Liga season.

Tito Vilanova's Barça headed into the game eight points clear of their arch rivals and boasting a 100 per cent record from their first six matches, but found themselves trailing midway through the first half when Ronaldo netted for the sixth straight Clásico.

But Messi equalised with a scrappy goal soon after and then put the hosts ahead with a stunning free-kick on the hour, only for Ronaldo to capitalise on sloppy defending midway through the second half to ensure honours ended even.

Whatever Messi could do, though, Ronaldo could do too, and swiftly matched the Argentina forward's eight goals in La Liga this term six minutes later. Ozil slotted a slick pass through to the Portuguese man, who had been played onside by Adriano and coolly slotted past Valdes to get Madrid back on level terms.

The final quarter was end-to-end stuff, although Mourinho's men were seemingly the more content with the point.