With such a late winner by Franck Kessie on Sunday, Barca secured a 2-1 Clasico victory against Real Madrid and extended its lead atop La Liga to 12 points.
The result makes it more difficult for Madrid to defend its crown, and it puts the Catalans in a position to win the trophy for the first time since 2019.
Ronald Araujo's own goal gave Carlo Ancelotti's Real the lead, but Sergi Roberto's goal for Barcelona right before halftime tied the game.
Both teams had chances to win the game. Marco Asensio scored for Madrid, but VAR disallowed the goal because it was offside. However, in the 92nd minute, Alejandro Balde set up Kessie to achieve.
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Sergi Roberto said on Movistar, "With such a late winner by Franck Kessie on Sunday, Barca's reality is that it tastes a little better, winning like that in the last minute".
"There are still a lot of games left, and Madrid can only be written off partially. Although 12 points are challenging to cover, we are in control, which is fantastic".
Barcelona's alleged involvement in corruption in the "Caso Negreira" officiating affair dominated the preparation for the game.
In light of escalating hostilities between the two Spanish powerhouses, Madrid this week joined Spanish prosecutors' complaint against Barcelona and its team for the first time in more than 20 years, president Florentino Perez chose not to attend the game.
That increased the tension in Xavi's sixth Clasico as Barcelona's coach, both on and off the field, but just his first at Camp Nou.
Fans sold out the stadium after Xavi urged them to do so and created one of the best atmospheres of the year by whistling when Madrid was in possession.
Madrid had zero shots on goal in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal loss to Barcelona in March, but Karim Benzema pricked Marc-Andre ter Stegen's hands in the opening minute.
At the other end, Robert Lewandowski reacted by challenging Thibaut Courtois as the skilled shooters traded shots.
- Rebounding Charge
A defender, Nacho, received a second booking for a handoff on Raphinha, and Barcelona claimed he ought to have been dismissed.
The hosts did not receive what they wanted, but they kept pushing forward, and shortly before halftime, a surprising source provided the breakthrough.
Sergi Roberto, who was chosen to fill in for injured midfielder Pedri, was in the right spot at the right moment to grab a loose ball in the box. over Courtois.
Barcelona had more possession and opportunities than in their cup victory over Madrid.
When Madrid stumbled, Lewandowski blasted a deflected piledriver just wide, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to take a chance and substitute Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.
It almost immediately paid off as Madrid stole Sergio Busquets, and Rodrygo lashed inches over the bar.
Asensio, a Madrid replacement, appeared to have scored the game's winning goal, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a tense wait for VAR guidance.
Barcelona appeared satisfied with the draw, but Kessie's dramatic goal at the very end erupted into frenzied celebrations at Camp Nou.
When asked if Madrid's chances of successfully defending their title were over, Courtois responded to Movistar: "Sure, we must be truthful. We'll battle until the bitter finish, but the score right now is (12 pts). When head to head, we are superior. Record, but they have to lose four games for them to lose, while we have to win them all".
"Nothing is impossible, but nothing is easy either".
