Featured Image Credit: LaLigaTV
Topics: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Frenkie De Jong, La Liga, Football
Ryan Smart
Topics: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Frenkie De Jong, La Liga, Football
Real Madrid fans have been praised for what they did after Frenkie de Jong suffered an injury for Barcelona during El Clasico.
Jude Bellingham's 91st-minute goal secured a dramatic 3-2 win for Real at the Bernabeu, and all but sealed another La Liga crown for Carlo Ancelotti's side in the process.
With six games to go, Barca must overturn an 11-point deficit to their fierce rivals, and their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of PSG means this was a week to forget for Xavi's side.
They started strongly at the Bernabeu, however, with Andreas Christensen giving them the lead on six minutes.
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Vinicius Junior then levelled for Real from the spot, before Lamine Yamal had a potential goal not awarded by VAR.
Barca's lead was restored through Fermin Lopez's fourth league goal of the season, but Lucas Vasquez levelled once again for Real on 73 minutes.
Bellingham's late strike would therefore prove decisive - and it wasn't the only hammer blow to hit the visitors in El Clasico.
De Jong was forced off with what appeared to be a horror ankle injury, with his foot rotating upon impact from a Federico Valverde tackle.
The Dutchman was taken off on a stretcher, and although Barca have yet to confirm the severity of the injury, he is surely now a major doubt for Euro 2024.
But as he was being taken off, Real Madrid fans were heard applauding the midfielder off the pitch in what was a classy gesture.
And despite clearly being in agony, De Jong reciprocated the gesture towards both sets of supporters as he was taken down the tunnel to receive further treatment.
After the game, meanwhile, Xavi was left furious with VAR, who did not award Yamal's goal that had appeared to have potentially crossed the line.
La Liga does not use goalline technology, unlike other major European leagues, and the Barcelona boss made his feelings clear after the match.
"It's a disgrace," he began. "If we want to be the best league in the world, we have to advance in this sense, you have to put in the technology."