F. de Jong

Barcelona ratings: Frenkie de Jong masterclass helps Xavi's side beat Real Madrid to all-but seal La Liga title

Thomas Hindle
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Barcelona came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday, likely sealing a first league title under Xavi.

Barcelona probably only needed one point here. Instead, they got three. Sergi Roberto grabbed the first goal, and Franck Kessie slotted home a late winner to see off Real Madrid and establish a 12-point lead atop La Liga.

Real Madrid went ahead much against the run of play, with Vinicius Jr's speculative cross deflecting into the net off Ronald Araujo's head.

Barcelona grabbed an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, with Sergi Roberto capitalising on a series of deflections before curling the ball home from ten yards out.

And they found a late winner, with Alejandro Balde feeding Kessie at the far post for an easy finish in second-half stoppage time.

GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Camp Nou...

Editors' Picks

  1. Goalkeeper & Defence
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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):

    Entirely wrong-footed by Madrid's opener after a nasty deflection.

    Ronald Araujo (6/10):

    Unfortunate to concede an own goal. Was otherwise reliable against Vinicius.

    Jules Kounde (7/10):

    Defended Benzema well and offered valuable cover for Araujo.

    Andreas Christensen (7/10):

    Put a free header off target. Help dig in to prevent a late winner from Los Blancos.

    Alejandro Balde (7/10):

    Loads of running and ever-improving in his defensive positioning. Nice assist late on.

  2. Midfield
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    Midfield

    Sergi Roberto (7/10):

    A surprise inclusion in the XI. Rewarded his manager's faith with the equaliser.

    Sergio Busquets (7/10):

    Made the standard range of tackles. Was worryingly slow to recover on a couple of occasions.

    Frenkie de Jong (8/10):

    Created five chances, completed most of his passes, relieved pressure with some wonderful dribbles. A lovely showing.

  4. Attack
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    Attack

    Gavi (7/10):

    Scrappy, energetic, reliable on the ball. Lucky not to get a red card for barging Dani Ceballos over off the ball. Seems to lose his head a bit in the big games.

    Robert Lewandowski (7/10):

    Forced some good saves out of Courtois, blasted a scissor kick over the bar. Unlucky not to find the net.

    Raphinha (7/10):

    Dangerous in his running, regularly cutting onto his left foot. Fired in four shots on goal.

  5. Subs & Manager
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    Subs & Manager

    Franck Kessie (8/10):

    A bit of a surprise that he didn't start. Grabbed the winner in stoppage time.

    Ferran Torres (6/10):

    Stretched the game with some neat runs.

    Ansu Fati (N/A):

    Almost started a fight after tripping Ceballos off the ball. Booked

    Xavi (9/10):

    Went for his usual 4-2-3-1 formation, and it all worked out for him rather well. Selecting Roberto over Kessie seemed a big call, but the surprise inclusion grabbed a goal. Title sewn up?