Real Madrid and Barcelona start New Year level on points in La Liga table

When the World Cup break came in November, the 2 La Liga Giants, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, were almost neck-and-neck in the La Liga title race.

However, Barcelona managed to make a two-point lead between themselves and the Los Blancos, who were hoping to defend the title they won last season.

Since the return of La Liga after the World Cup, Real Madrid faced Real Valladolid on Friday, while Barcelona was locked in a derby against Espanyol.

Real Madrid got a hard-fought 2-0 victory over their hosts on Friday, all thanks to French striker Karim Benzema who was playing his first competitive game since November, having missed the whole of the FIFA World Cup to injury, the situation that led to him retiring from the French national team.

The win put Los Blancos ahead of Barcelona temporarily until Barcelona vs. Espanyol on the final day of 2022.

Barcelona took the lead in that fixture through a combination of two former Chelsea players as Andreas Christensen provided an assist for Marcos Alonso to finish off in the first half.

However, rather than a goal fest, what followed was a dramatic encounter that provided a series of yellow cards from the same referee who made waves at the World Cup due to the same reason.

Mateu Lahoz sent off two players, one from each side, while also brandishing 14 yellow cards in the game.

Nevertheless, Barcelona did not get all three points as the word pet Park by a late penalty from Espanyol, which Joselu converted in the 73rd minute.

Barcelona and Real Madrid now sit 38 points at the top two positions in La Liga, with Xavi’s side topping on goals difference.

Real Madrid will face Villarreal in La Liga next, while Barcelona will play against Atletico Madrid.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu