Drama in Clasico as Atletico Madrid go joint top in Spain

Madrid, Oct 8 (IANS) Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed all headlines after each scored two goals in a 2-2 draw in the Clasico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in the seventh round of matches in the Spanish Primera Liga. Atletico Madrid went joint top of the league with Barca thanks to a win over Malaga.

Ronaldo opened the scoring in the game played in Barcelona’s Camp Nou football Stadium. Madrid threatened to run away with the game only for Karim Benzema to miss two easy chances for his side, reports Xinhua.

Madrid paid for their generosity in front of goalmouth as Messi equalized from close range after good work from Pedro Rodriguez.

He then put Barca ahead on the hour with a magnificent free kick, but Ronaldo then levelled with his second of the night following a Mesut Ozil pass.

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Ronaldo continued to play despite clearly having hurt his shoulder and the game ended with Barca looking to win the game and Martin Montoya hitting the Madrid crossbar with a shot from outside of the penalty area.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid moved level on points with Barca following a dramatic 2-1 win at home to Malaga.

Both sides had been unbeaten in the season, with Atletico second in the table and Malaga third.

Radomal Falcao opened the scoring for Atletico after six minutes, but Roque Santa Crus levelled 15 minutes later and the game hung in the balance until the last minute when the home side’s ambition was rewarded with Falcao’s second goal of the game, a header from a Mario Suarez free kick.