Champions Barcelona maintained their season-long unbeaten LaLiga run with a 2-2 Clasico draw against rivals Real Madrid at Camp Nou, despite Sergi Roberto’s first-half red card.
Barca played 45 minutes with 10 men but managed to extend their record undefeated streak in the top flight to 42 matches, a record that stretches back to April 2017.
In Andres Iniesta’s last Clasico, Luis Suarez gave the Catalan giants an early lead by turning in a terrific right-wing cross from Roberto, but the advantage did not last long as Madrid hit back in the 14th minute.
Cristiano Ronaldo – substituted at half-time due to injury – equalled Alfredo Di Stefano’s record of 18 Clasico goals for Madrid by tapping in a clever Karim Benzema header back across goal.
Although they were a man light, Barca regained the lead thanks to a sensational Lionel Messi goal – his 26th in this fixture – but Madrid felt Suarez fouled Raphael Varane in the build-up.
Bale had the final say by getting his first LaLiga Clasico goal with a 20-yard strike to claim a point for Madrid, who stay 15 points behind their irrepressible rivals.
Watch: Barcelona vs Real Madrid