Barcelona 2 - Real Madrid 0

Barcelona: Víctor Valdés; Daniel Alves, Márquez, Puyol, Abidal; Xavi (Keita 91'), Touré Yayá, Gudjohnsen (Busquets 62'); Messi, Eto'o (Hleb 89'), Henry. 4-3-3.
Madrid: Casillas; Michel Salgado, Cannavaro, Metzelder, Sergio Ramos; Sneijder (Palanca 38'), Guti (Javi García 72'), Gago, Drenthe; Higuaín (Van der Vaart 77'), Raúl. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Barcelona: Eto'o for Hleb / Madrid: Metzelder, Sneijder, Drenthe for Marcelo, Van der Vaart, Robben.

Goals:
1-0. 82. Eto'o. Turned ball in from close up after Puyol headed back Xavi corner.
2-0. 92. Messi. Picked up Henry pass and chipped Casillas on counter-attack.

Yellow cards: Metzelder 21', Ramos 27', Márquez 39', Drenthe 41', Salgado 69', Eto'o 83', Casillas 90', Messi 93'.

Late goals from Eto'o and Messi gave Barcelona 2-0 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid in this weekend's big "derby" game. Juande Ramos appears to have restored Madrid's confidence, and they gave as good as they got in the first half. Injuries and suspensions meant that his squad was down to the wire though, and when Sneijder limped off late in the first half the new coach was forced to bring on B team youngster Palanca.

The first chances fell to the locals, Casillas saving from Messi, Henry being pulled up for a borderline offside and Touré Yayá running through but having a shot blocked. But Sneijder almost caught out Valdés with a first time shot, and the keeper had to be at his best soon afterwards to save from Drenthe as he broke free in front of goal.

Casillas responded with saves from Henry and Eto'o either side of half time, but only a rapid tackle from Puyol prevented Higuaín from opening the scoring. Eto'o struck a spectacular volley just over the bar, and a long shot from Xavi was deflected away for a corner by a defender.

With twenty minutes to go though substitute Busquets was brought down in the area by Michel Salgado, and referee Medina Cantalejo signalled a penalty. Casillas guessed correctly though and pushed out Eto'o's spot kick, and a couple of minutes later made another top class save from the striker.

Eto'o got his revenge though ten minutes later, turning the ball in from close up after Puyol headed in a corner. Palanca tested Valdés at the other end, but with the game already in injury time and Madrid attacking, Henry and Messi broke free for the latter to pick up the former's pass and chip a shot over Casillas. Barça had beaten their eternal rivals , and they are now twelve points ahead of them in the table.