Barcelona Move 12 Points Clear Of Real Madrid After Franck Kessie Nets Late Winner In Clasico

Franck Kessie scored his 1st goal for Barcelona to seal a 2-1 win over Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico. Barca's win saw them move 12 points clear in La Liga.

Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

Franck Kessie scored his first goal for Barcelona to seal a 2-1 victory over rivals Real Madrid in Sunday's Clasico.

The former Milan midfielder, on his 34th appearance for Barca, slotted home from an Alejandro Balde cutback in the second minute of added time.

KESSIE 90TH MINUTE GOAL!

WOW WHAT A MATCH! pic.twitter.com/9L3IXUzT4J

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 19, 2023

FRANCK KESSIÉ! 👏🇨🇮

It's a first LaLiga goal for the Ivorian and what a time to get it 🔵🔴

The Spotify Camp Nou is rocking as the midfielder finds the net against Real Madrid 🔥#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/sjS99jatNJ

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 19, 2023

Real had earlier taken a ninth-minute lead thanks to an own goal scored by Ronald Araujo.

Sergi Roberto then netted his first Clasico goal to draw Barca level on the stroke of half-time.

Real thought that they had retaken the lead in the 81st minute but Marco Asensio saw his strike disallowed for offside following a VAR review.

Then came Kessie's suckerpunch to send Barca 12 points clear in the title race.

Highlights: Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid

Franck Kessie pictured (right) celebrating after scoring the winning goal for Barcelona in a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid :: IMAGO/Pressinphoto/Colas Buera

Barcelona have now beaten Real three times in 2023.

Xavi's side got the better of their rivals 3-1 in the final of the Supercopa de Espana in January.

Barca then recorded a 1-0 win over Real at the Bernabeu in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.

The second leg will take place on April 5.

Xavi is the first Barcelona manager to win three Clasicos in one year since Pep Guardiola in 2011. pic.twitter.com/UwobS38mGK

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 19, 2023