One of the biggest matches in club football was played yesterday evening and although Barcelona were eventual winners, Neymar failed to shine in the El Clásico.
A sensational match occurred between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Bernabéu with a seven goal thriller edging the away sides way.
Andrés Iniesta fired the visitors ahead before Karim Benzema’s double reversed the momentum although Lionel Messi found an equaliser before half time.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi exchanged penalties to make it 3-3 before the Argentine superstar was given the opportunity from the spot to score his hat-trick and his teams fourth.
He duly obliged and Barcelona held on to win 4-3 and keep the title race wide open, their Brazilian summer signing though was largely disappointing during his 69 minutes on the pitch.
Neymar was often too easily outmuscled off the ball and failed to take the few chances that went his way.
Despite his performance lacking the quality we know he can possess, Neymar did play a part in two of Barcelona’s goals.
For the second he was disposed inside the box and Messi was able to fire in the loose ball and the pair linked up again in the second half in what proved to be the pivotal moment in the match.
Neymar ran onto Messi’s wonderful through ball and the Brazilian raced across Sergio Ramos forcing the Madrid defender to foul the 22-year-old inside the box, and consequently give away a penalty and earn himself a red card.
This changed the whole complex of the game so although Neymar didn’t have his best match in a Barcelona shirt he was at least still able to contribute to a Catalan victory.
