Chris Maduewesi
Member
Barcelona came into the game four points adrift of Madrid,needing to win the game and not go seven points behind in the race for the La Liga title.
Messi located Andres Iniesta who put Barcelona in front as early as the seventh minute,but two quick goals from Karim Benzema in the 20th and 24th minute gave Real Madrid the lead.
Just before the break,Messi drew his side level as both teams went into the break looking for new ideas to get behind each other.
By then the game has already become feisty as was expected and tempers were already flaring up.
Cristiano Ronaldo put Real back in front from the penalty spot,but the game turned on its head after Sergio Ramos was shown a straight red card for a foul on Neymar.
Messi then won it for Barcelona with two more penalties that gave his side all three points on the night.
The 26-year old Argentine is now the second highest scorer in La Liga history, moving ahead of former Real striker Hugo Sanchez to 236 goals.
He is equally the all-time top scorer in El Clasico games with 21 goals, beating Real Madrid's legend Alfredo Di Stefano.
The La Liga title is getting as tighter as it could get because at the moment Atletico Madrid tops the table a point ahead of Real in second place with Barcelona trailing in third position,just a point behind Real as well.
All three contenders stand within a point of each other and with a genuine chance of winning the title.
With nine more games to be played to the end of the season,the last has not been seen on who will end up as the league winner.