Today Barca secured a massive three points and a victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, the stadium of its arch-rival Real Madrid. This victory leaves the race for the Spanish League title wide open, and it is sure to be one hell of a ride with nine games left.
Tonight though we celebrate the Barca players who put on a masterclass performance. On four occasions today we fought back to tie the game or take the lead, and the result today was really a tribute to selfless, team football.
Of course Messi was decisive. He scored a hat trick (three goals) and broke the record for the most goals scored by any one player in the history of el classic (the Classic), as the game between Barca and Real Madrid is known.
The video below shows his hat trick today in addition to the other eighteen goals Messi has scored in this rivalry.
However, the victory was about more than Messi, and so many other players also stepped up. Gerard Pique was a rock in central defense and had a goal-line clearance. Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc, and Busquets dominated the midfield. Dani Alves and Jordi Alba made marauding runs and played tight defense, respectively. Neymar put himself in positions to score or at least cause problems for Madrid by drawing in their defenders. Only Mascherano was "poor." This was as much a reflection of his "off" game as it was the outstanding play of his teammates in contradistinction to his performance.
El classic is always hard-fought, and bragging rights only last until the next match, which takes place in one month's time. However, I will revel in this great victory tonight and for days to come. This is because recently Barca lost several games they should have won against lesser teams. Had they won those games, the League would have been effectively secured.
However, these players are human beings, and they, too, slip now and then. Nonetheless, they have won every "big" match this year that was do or die, just like today's. This victory today came with an exclamation point preceded loud and clear by the statement, "This team ain't dead yet!"
Far from it.
Visca Barca!
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