Barcelona 3 Real Madrid 2: Xavi and Messi rule as Vilanova's men earn slim advantage
Posted Friday, August 24, 2012 by Dailymail
Easy does it: Angel di Maria hits back for Madrid
Messi had the first real chance of the game when a typically sharp Barcelona passing exchange freed Dani Alves down the right and his cut-back found the Argentinian on the edge of the penalty area, but his left-footed drive flew just off target.
The world player of the year then had an even better opportunity from similar range as he skipped past Alvaro Arbeloa but this time pulled his shot wide of the other upright.
Real were struggling to manage any prolonged possession and were relieved to see referee Carlos Clos Gomez wave away appeals for a penalty when Alexis Sanchez tumbled in the box under pressure from Ramos.
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