Spain’s best can’t be separated in Clasico

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo matched each other blow for blow at the Nou Camp last night, bagging two goals apiece as Barcelona and Real Madrid battled out an entertaining draw in the first Clasico of the Primera Division season.

Played against a backdrop of fiscal and political turmoil in Spain, the growing number of separatists in Catalonia made their voices heard before the game as fans raised coloured cards to represent the region’s flag, while a cry of “Independencia” went up after 17 minutes and 14 seconds of each half — a reference to 1714, the year the region last enjoyed autonomy from Spain.

Tito Vilanova stressed the importance of football and not politics before the game as his Barca headed into the game eight points clear of their arch-rivals and boasting a 100% record from their first six matches.