Zlatan Ibrahimovic's superb second-half volley was enough to
give Barcelona victory over fierce rivals Real Madrid in the Primera
Division's first 'El Clasico' of the season at the Nou Camp and
move the Catalans back to the top of the table.
Ibrahimovic replaced Thierry Henry early in the second half and
fired Barca in front less than five minutes later as he volleyed
home Dani Alves' cross.
Barcelona were reduced to 10 men with almost half an hour left,
when Sergio Busquets was sent off for a second bookable offence.
But Madrid, who had earlier missed a fantastic chance to take the
lead when the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo - in his first ever 'Clasico'
- shot straight at Victor Valdes with only the Barca keeper to beat,
failed to take advantage and themselves had Lassana Diarra dismissed
late on.
Ronaldo went off with 25 minutes left and Barca should have made
things easier with two minutes to go, when Lionel Messi found himself
alone with only Iker Casillas to beat, but the Argentina winger
shot straight at the Madrid keeper, who deflected the ball over
with his feet.
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