barcelona

Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 2

Barca played 45 minutes with 10 men but managed to extend their record undefeated streak in the top flight to 42 matches, a record that stretches back to April 2017.

In Andres Iniesta's last Clasico, Luis Suarez gave the Catalan giants an early lead by turning in a terrific right-wing cross from Roberto, but the advantage did not last long as Madrid hit back in the 14th minute.

Cristiano Ronaldo - substituted at half-time due to injury - equalled Alfredo Di Stefano's record of 18 Clasico goals for Madrid by tapping in a clever Karim Benzema header back across goal.

Barcelona 3 Chelsea 0

The sides were locked together at 1-1 after Messi's equaliser in the first leg of the last-16 tie at Stamford Bridge and Antonio Conte's men held their own for long periods once again, only to be undermined by uncharacteristic defensive errors.

Messi scored the earliest goal of his professional career in the third minute, with Ousmane Dembele opening his Barcelona account in style to ground an encouraging Chelsea response.

Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1

Willian hit the post twice but finally found the net with what looked to be the winning goal, only for Messi to score for the first time in six games to earn a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, leaving the clash finely balanced.

Chelsea and Barca were facing each other for the 13th time in the Champions League, renewing their rivalry after a classic semi-final clash in 2012, and for much of the contest there was nothing between the sides despite Barca's inevitable dominance of the ball.

Coutinho presented to Barcelona fans at Camp Nou

The Brazil international completed his move from Liverpool to Barca earlier in the day by undergoing a medical and signing a five-and-a-half-year contract.

Coutinho then ventured out onto the playing surface for the first time and, despite the thigh injury that is set to keep him out for three weeks, performed kick-ups to the delight of the thousands of fans in attendance.

"I'm happy to be here because of the history of the club and the players that have played here through history," he said.

Barcelona sign Coutinho from Liverpool

British media reported that the Spanish club will pay about 268 million dollars for Coutinho, making it the third most expensive transfer in football history.

"Barcelona and Liverpool have reached an agreement for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho," the La Liga leaders said in a statement.

"The player will sign a contract for the rest of the season and five more and will have a release clause of 400 million euros.

Liverpool confirmed the deal.

Barca too strong for Real in 'Clasico'

Suarez capitalised on wide open space in Madrid's midfield to knock in a simple pass from Sergi Roberto following a breakaway move in the 54th minute. That opened the scoring after a tense but tight first half in the early afternoon sun at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.

Messi hammered in the second goal from the penalty spot 20 minutes later after Dani Carvajal was sent off for blocking a goal-bound header from Paulinho with his arm after Real were again easily picked apart on the counter attack.

Barcelona 2 Sevilla 1

Alcacer, named in a league starting XI by Ernesto Valverde for the first time since the opening match of the season, scored once in each half as Barca restored their four-point lead at the top of the table after wins for title rivals Valencia and Atletico Madrid earlier on Saturday.

Guido Pizarro's headed equaliser in between Alcacer's two strikes briefly threatened a surprise result, but a draw would have flattered fifth-placed Sevilla, who have now lost four consecutive away games.

Madrid break Barcelona away record

Ronaldo's 85th-minute strike saw Madrid claim their 13th successive away LaLiga win, surpassing the mark of 12 set by Pep Guardiola's Barca side from May 2010 to January 2011.

The goal was Ronaldo's first of the league campaign, the Portuguese having drawn a blank in his three previous LaLiga appearances.

In contrast to his reputation as one of the world's most ruthless forwards, Ronaldo needed 28 shots to break his duck, with just seven of those efforts hitting the target.

Barca to join Catalonia strike

"FC Barcelona joins the country wide strike called for by Table for Democracy and therefore the club will be closed tomorrow," Barcelona said in a club statement on Monday.

"None of the professional teams or the youth teams at FC Barcelona will train tomorrow."

Clashes that saw police fire rubber bullets and force their way into polling stations to confiscate ballots left at least 92 people injured and over 800 needing medical attention, according to Catalan authorities.

Raiola tells Messi to leave Barcelona

Messi has agreed a new deal with Barcelona but that contract remains unsigned amid uncertainty over the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's future at Camp Nou.

With the 30-year-old yet to put pen to paper, Manchester City – managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola – have emerged as a possible destination.

Raiola does not represent Messi but the Italy-born Dutchman – whose list of clients includes Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Marco Verratti, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – believes the time is right for a change.