FRANCK KESSIE’S stoppage-time strike earned Barcelona a dramatic victory in El Clasico and put them on course to win La Liga.
Xavi’s side are 12 points clear of their greatest rivals with just ten games left and would need a monumental collapse to avoid being crowned Spanish champions for the 27th time.
But they were forced to do it the hard way after falling behind early on.
Moments after Raphinha was denied his third goal in as many outings by a flying Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid took the lead.
Fresh from setting up Karim Benzema’s winner against Liverpool on Wednesday, Vinícius Junior claimed another assist after his cross deflected in off Ronald Araujo.
It was only the SECOND goal Barca had conceded at home in the league all season and first since December.
But it’s up the other end where Xavi’s side have been struggling in recent weeks with only three goals in four games since crashing out of Europe.
It wasn’t for the warrant of trying though, with Courtois needing to be his best to keep the home side at bay on a number of occasions before the break.
Barcelona eventually found an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when Sergi Roberto was a cool head amongst a hectic penalty area and stroked past the Belgian.
Rodrygo should have put Madrid back ahead just past the hour mark, while Robert Lewandowski spurned two golden chances to complete the turnaround.
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Then, Marco Asensio thought he won it late, but his strike was ruled out for offside by VAR following a lengthy delay.
And then as the clock struck 90 minutes Alejandro Balde’s low cross was turned home by Kessie to spark wild scenes at the Nou Camp.