Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2

PAIR OF ACES ... Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo cross paths

IT will be remembered as El Clasico when Lionel Messi squared up to Cristiano Ronaldo — and football was the winner.

Messi’s double and Ronaldo’s brace will have this country talking for weeks to come. 

Barcelona could and should have won it at the death but, in a way, they did — as they are still eight points clear of Jose Mourinho’s Real side. 

So, just this once, let us forget the diving of Mourinho’s lieutenant Pepe and that second-half tumble from the otherwise brilliant Mesut Ozil, along with some nasty tackles and the odd iffy refereeing call. 

For this was a night to savour — the world’s top two footballers going at it hammer and tongs in front of an estimated TV audience of 200million. 

Mourinho said: “It should be banned to talk about who is the best in the world. 

HEAD TO HEAD ... Barcelona boss Tito Vilanova greets Jose Mourinho

 

“Those two are on a different planet. I’d like to see mine win World Player of the Year because he was the winner of the most important league in the world.” 

The huge red and yellow mosaic from over 90,000 Barca fans, forming a giant national flag, proclaimed their Catalan allegiance at the start. 

In fact the cry for independence went up on 18 minutes — harking back to the moment in 1714 when the siege of Barcelona ended as the Catalan capital fell to what became the Spanish crown. 

OPENER ... Cristiano Ronaldo strikes the first goal of the match

 

By then busy bee Ronaldo had crossed for Real striker Karim Benzema, who miscued a glorious chance. Sergio Ramos then headed Ozil’s corner wide. 

It was no surprise Ronaldo put Madrid ahead on 22 minutes. Benzema turned Javier Mascherano and set up Ronaldo, whose left-footer beat Victor Valdes. 

Seconds later, another lovely move carved up Barca but Benzema stumbled and knocked Sami Khedira’s pass against a post before Angel Di Maria missed with the follow-up. 

CHEEKY ... Ronaldo gestures after his goal

 

On the half hour, Barca’s Pedro crossed, Pepe failed to clear and it fell to Messi six yards out.
No prizes for guessing that the world’s best player levelled. 

We learnt two things yesterday. One, how important Gerard Pique is, not just in Barca’s defence but also in their build-up. Two, how the balance of power has shifted to the middle ground. 

ALL SQUARE ... Lionel Messi pulls Barcelona level

 

Mourinho should thank his lucky stars Barca had to line up without their centre-halves Pique and Carles Puyol. They also lost right-back Dani Alves midway through the first half to a thigh strain. 

Just after the restart, Messi went on a 50-yard run but Alvaro Arbeloa snuffed out his pass to Cesc Fabregas, who was ready to tap home. 

Andres Iniesta went down in the box under Pepe’s challenge but ref Carlos Delgado Ferreiro gave a corner. On the hour, Messi produced a moment that will live long in the memory. 

PACKING A PUNCH ... Lionel Messi celebrates

 

The Argentina hero swung in a 28-yard free-kick and the ball seemed to stop in mid-air before swerving into the top corner. 

A classic for El Clasico and Messi is now just one goal behind Madrid legend and honorary president Alfredo Di Stefano, who is the all-time top scorer in this deadly duel with 18 goals. 

If the next Ballon D’Or has been decided, no one has told Ronaldo — who ended up going to hospital last night to check on a shoulder injury. 

CURLY WORLDY ... Lionel Messi's free-kick beats the Real wall

 

The Portugal star desperately wants to reclaim the crown he won whilst at United in 2009.
And, six minutes later, he showed why it should be him when he picked up Ozil’s pass and slotted past Valdes. 

The Nou Camp still rose as one to acclaim their team but they might as well have done it for both of these giants. 

Messi and Ronaldo that is. 

FLOORED .. Iker Casillas is left stunned by Messi's goal

 

JOY ... Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal

 

HOLD UP ... Ronaldo levels to make it 2-2