Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo scores and sent off in Spanish Super Cup first leg By Patrick Surlis
Last Updated: 13/08/17 11:47pm
Cristiano Ronaldo scored and was then sent off as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 in a thrilling Spanish Super Cup first leg on Sunday night. An incident-packed second half at the Nou Camp saw Gerard Pique's own goal put Real ahead (50) before Lionel Messi equalised from the penalty spot (77) after Luis Suarez was fouled by Keylor Navas. Ronaldo, on as a substitute, was booked for taking his shirt off to celebrate his spectacular strike three minutes later. That was followed swiftly by a second yellow card for diving following a challenge by Samuel Umtiti and an angry Ronaldo appeared to push referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea on his way off the field. Marco Asensio wrapped up the victory for 10-man Real with a brilliant finish in the 90th minute, condemning new Barca boss Ernesto Valverde to defeat in his first competitive match at the Nou Camp. The two sides will play the second leg at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Neymar's departure handed former Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu the chance to impress but Barca's attack looked sluggish in the first half.
Suarez tested Navas with a snap-shot but that's as good as it got in a scrappy opening period characterised by five yellow cards.
Pique's own goal five minutes after the break gifted Real the lead and only Jordi Alba's remarkable goal-line block from Dani Carvajal prevented the visitors from doubling their advantage.
Ronaldo, introduced to a chorus of boos, saw a goal disallowed for offside before Barca levelled in controversial circumstances.
Suarez went down under Navas' challenge and Messi stepped up to convert, sparing Sergio Busquets' blushes after the midfielder had squandered a glorious chance moments prior.
It prompted a bizarre three-minute spell as Ronaldo smashed home a superb finish to put Real back in front, with the substitute booked for removing his shirt in the celebrations.
And he was given his marching orders when, having gone down under contact from Umtiti, he was judged to have dived.
There was still time for Asensio to crash the party and the Real youngster underlined his considerable potential with a stunning strike.
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