Barcelona moved to within a point of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as they twice came from behind thanks to a Lionel Messi hat-trick to edge a thrilling El Clasico 4-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Messi also became the top foreign La Liga goalscorer breaking Hugo Sánchez record of 234 that stood since 1994
1-0
The game got off to a blistering start as after Neymar and Benzema had early efforts easily saved, Barca opened the scoring when Messi played in Iniesta behind the Real defence and the Spanish international smashed the ball in off the underside of the bar.
1-1
Benzema made amends for an earlier miss 20 minutes in when Victor Valdes just failed to keep out his header from Di Maria's cross.
2-1
The Frenchman then completed a rapid turnaround for the hosts as Javier Mascherano misjudged another Di Maria centre from the left and Benzema took a touch before firing past the helpless Valdes.
2-2
Barca responded before halftime and were level when Messi controlled a loose ball inside the area and slotted home at Diego Lopez's near post.
3-2
Carlo Ancelotti's men retook the lead on 55 minutes when referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco controversially awarded a penalty for a trip on Ronaldo by Alves despite the contact appearing to take place outside the area.
Ronaldo was unmoved, though, as he got up to take hammer the resulting spot-kick low past Valdes' outstretched right hand.
3-3
However, the game turned again 25 minutes from time when Messi released Neymar and he was brought down by Ramos.
Real's captain for the evening was shown his 19th red card for Los Blancos for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and Messi converted from the spot to make it 3-3.
3-4
Alves then struck the inside of the post from 25 yards as Barca went in search of the goal that would salvage their title chances.
And they got it when Mallenco awarded a third penalty of the evening as Iniesta tumbled inside the area and Messi again dispatched it perfectly high past Lopez.
Messi also became the top foreign La Liga goalscorer breaking Hugo Sánchez record of 234 that stood since 1994
1-0
The game got off to a blistering start as after Neymar and Benzema had early efforts easily saved, Barca opened the scoring when Messi played in Iniesta behind the Real defence and the Spanish international smashed the ball in off the underside of the bar.
1-1
Benzema made amends for an earlier miss 20 minutes in when Victor Valdes just failed to keep out his header from Di Maria's cross.
2-1
The Frenchman then completed a rapid turnaround for the hosts as Javier Mascherano misjudged another Di Maria centre from the left and Benzema took a touch before firing past the helpless Valdes.
2-2
Barca responded before halftime and were level when Messi controlled a loose ball inside the area and slotted home at Diego Lopez's near post.
3-2
Carlo Ancelotti's men retook the lead on 55 minutes when referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco controversially awarded a penalty for a trip on Ronaldo by Alves despite the contact appearing to take place outside the area.
Ronaldo was unmoved, though, as he got up to take hammer the resulting spot-kick low past Valdes' outstretched right hand.
3-3
However, the game turned again 25 minutes from time when Messi released Neymar and he was brought down by Ramos.
Real's captain for the evening was shown his 19th red card for Los Blancos for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and Messi converted from the spot to make it 3-3.
3-4
Alves then struck the inside of the post from 25 yards as Barca went in search of the goal that would salvage their title chances.
And they got it when Mallenco awarded a third penalty of the evening as Iniesta tumbled inside the area and Messi again dispatched it perfectly high past Lopez.
