Sensational Finish! Messi’s Last-Minute Penalty Decides Thrilling ClasicoSensational Finish! Messi’s Last-Minute Penalty Decides Thrilling Clasico In a pulsating and action-packed Clasico, Lionel Messi etched his name into history once again with a dramatic last-minute penalty to seal a 2-1 victory for Barcelona over arch-rivals Real Madrid. The game started at a frantic pace, with Real Madrid taking an early lead through Karim Benzema’s clinical finish. Barcelona looked stunned, but they slowly began to regain control of the game. Just before halftime, Ousmane Dembélé expertly leveled the score with a curling effort from outside the area. The goal injected a fresh surge of energy into Barcelona, and they came out for the second half with renewed determination. As the game wore on, Real Madrid seemed content with a draw, but Barcelona refused to be denied. With the clock ticking down, Jordi Alba was brought down clumsily in the box by Casemiro. Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and Messi stepped up to take the penalty. With the weight of anticipation hanging heavy in the air, he sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way and fired the ball into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted in a cacophony of cheers and chants as Messi’s teammates mobbed him in celebration. The victory was a major boost for Barcelona’s title hopes, while it dealt a significant blow to Real Madrid. Messi’s penalty was not only the winning goal, but also his 26th Clasico strike, making him the all-time leading scorer in the fixture. The victory also extended Barcelona’s unbeaten streak against their rivals to four games. As the dust settled on the thrilling encounter, it was clear that Lionel Messi had once again proven his greatness. His last-minute penalty had not only secured three crucial points for his team, but had also written another chapter in the annals of this legendary rivalry.