Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo dueled each other to an entertaining stalemate on Sunday, with both superstars scoring twice as Barcelona drew 2-2 with Real Madrid to keep an eight-point lead over its archrival intact. The result ended Barcelona s perfect start to the league campaign as it dropped points for the first time in seven games, but provided yet another memorable chapter in the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo, the two biggest names in the sport. Ronaldo put Madrid ahead at Camp Nou stadium in the 23rd from a pass by Karim Benzema to extend his scoring streak in "clasico" matches to six. Then it was Messi s turn, as he took advantage of a defensive slip to level for Barcelona in the 31st, before adding a second goal in the 61st with a perfect free kick from almost 25 yards out. But as Barcelona looked to seal the result, Mesut Oezil unlocked Barcelona s makeshift defensive line to set up Ronaldo to respond five minutes later and split the points. It was, perhaps, a fitting end to the latest head-to-head duel between arguably the two best players in the world, who for the last two seasons have engaged in a two-way scoring race unlike anything the Spanish league has seen before. Messi and Ronaldo are the leading candidates for the world player of the year award, and both showed they more than deserved it with standout performances on Sunday night. Ronaldo added to his pair of hat tricks from the previous week, while Messi recorded his 17th career goal against Madrid, leaving him one short of equaling Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefanos record. The two players lead the Spanish league with eight goals apiece through seven rounds. Atletico Madrid can move even on points with Barcelona if it beats third-place Malaga later. Camp Nou was bedecked with independence flags and the game started with the 90,000-plus fans holding up colored cards to form a mosaic of the red-and-yellow Catalan flag before shouting "Independence" in unison in the latest manifestations of the surge of separatist sentiment in the northwestern region of Spain. But politics aside, the home fans quickly returned their attention to Barcelona s thinned backline, which was without both center backs Carles Puyol (elbow) and Gerard Pique (foot). To compensate, coach Tito Vilanova, in a minor susprise, left new signing Alex Song on the bench, and aligned Adriano alongside Javier Mascherano in the center of his defense. With Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas in midfield, Barcelona quickly made their intentions known as the pair wove together combinations with Messi up front. But Ronaldo made sure Madrid opened the scoring when he took Benzema s pass and used one sharp touch to drive the ball between the near post and goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Ronaldo s goal seemed to stun Barcelona, and Madrid had two golden chances to double its advantage two minutes later when Benzema scuffed a close-range shot, sending it off the bar, and Angel Di Maria punched the rebound wide. Barcelona s injury troubles in defense mounted in the 27th when Dani Alves had to be replaced by Martin Montoya. Just when Barcelona was suffering the most, Messi stepped up to level the score. Madrid defender Pepe failed to clear a high ball from a deflected cross by Pedro Rodriguez, and Messi slipped in to poke the loose ball past goalkeeper Iker Casillas. Messi started the second half with a long gallop from deep in his own half, passing two defenders before sending a cross into the area the defense had to scramble to intercept. Messi then put the hosts in front, winning a free kick before looping it over the wall and beyond Casillas diving grasp. Ronaldo hit right back when Oezil threaded a pass through the defense for the Portugal forward to slot past Valdes. The draw spoiled Vilanova s bid to become the first coach to lead Barcelona to seven wins in as many games to start the season.
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