Barcelona 2 Real Madrid 0 at the Bernabeu

The torch has been passed for 2010 as Lionel Messi led his Barcelona squad into the Bernabeu and defeated Cristiano Ronaldo's Real Madrid side 2-0 Saturday in front of 80,000.   Last year's FIFA Player of the Year Cristiano was no match for the likely winner this year in Messi.  The two squads were tied at the top of the La Liga on 77 points with only a few matches remaining.  This would most likely decide the title. 

It was a contentious start with hard tackles and yellow cards flying in the opening minutes.  Real Madrid were pushing for the opening goal, pinning Barcelona on the defensive.  Unfortunately, after 30 minutes Real had nothing to show for all their hard work and Lionel Messi was soon to make his mark on the match.  In the 32nd minute Messi played a ball into Xavi who chipped over the Real Madrid defense to the running Messi.  He touched down and slipped the ball past the onrushing Casillas for the opening goal.

After the break it would be Xavi again who supplied the pass leading to the Barca goal as he put a nice ball into Pedro who put it perfectly inside the post giving Barcelona a comfortable 2-0 lead.  Real Madrid had a chance right after to get back into the game, but Rafael van der Vaart failed to put away a 1v1 as Victor Valdes smothered the finish.

Barcelona would cruise home from there and give themselves a three point lead in the race for the La Liga while Lionel Messi furthered his case for the player of the year award.