Barcelona break unwanted record against Real Madrid

Jacque Talbot
Jacque Talbot
  • Updated: 21 Mar 2023 13:43 GMT
  • 5 min read
Ronald Araujo, Barcelona
© ProShots

Ronald Araujo’s own goal was the first goal Barcelona conceded from open play at home in La Liga this season.

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The defender put the ball in his own net but thankfully the side were able to recover and claim all three points.

Indeed, the Catalans went 12 points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid in the La Liga title race with Franck Kessie's 92nd-minute winner clinching all three points.

Real Madrid ace Vinicius Junior hit in a cross and it deflected off Araujo, marking the first open-play goal that Barcelona conceded so far this term in the league. But defender Sergi Roberto hit back for Barcelona before half-time.

Xavi’s club tried to push through for the winner in the second half but it took until the dying embers of the match for them to get their goal - as Kessie hit his first goal for the club, dashing Real Madrid’s title hopes. Fans online initially mocked Araujo for letting in the goal.

De Jong on his future

Frenkie de Jong delivered another spellbinding display on the night. The midfielder is once again linked with a move away from Barcelona, with Manchester United said to be keen on his services.

But the Dutchman made his feelings clear ahead of the said. Speaking to TV3 ahead of Sunday's El Clasico, De Jong explained: "Hopefully I can play in the new Camp Nou. Barcelona has always been the club of my dreams and I want to stay here for many years.

"For me, the Camp Nou is the most beautiful stadium in the world. The plans for the stadium are very good."

Playing in a Clasico is a very difficult feeling to explain. When I was a child, I dreamed of doing it with Barca and now I can do it. It's a very important game for the fans and also for the players, a game that can decide a league."

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