Real Madrid fans had their hearts in their mouths as star forward Cristiano Ronaldo was subbed off at half-time during the league clash against Barcelona, with the UEFA Champions League final less than two weeks away.
🔁 46′ |1-1| Substitution. @marcoasensio10 replaces @Cristiano.#RMClasico pic.twitter.com/ec01tFuZfY
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) May 6, 2018
Ronaldo, who’s been in sensational form of late, found the back of the net to level proceedings for Los Blancos in the 14th minute but got injured as Barca defender Gerard Pique inadvertently got a bit of him even as the Portuguese put the ball into the back of the net.
⚽ GO-LA-ZO! @Cristiano put the finishing touch on a super counter-attacking move from close range after fine work from @ToniKroos and @Benzema! VAMOS!!!#RMClasico | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/3L5DTbF7VV
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) May 6, 2018
The 33-year-old forward looked to be in pain and didn’t partake in his usual over-the-top celebration as the physios rushed to assist him.
Initially it looked like the No.7 would be unable to carry on, but he managed to run it off and continue.
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However, at half-time the stadium announcement confirmed that Ronaldo would not be taking to the pitch in the second-half.
Sergio Asensio replaced Ronaldo with the scores level at half-time, although the visitors have a man advantage after Blaugrana fullback Sergi Roberto lost his head in a confrontation with Marcelo towards the end of the first-half.
The capital outfit will be hoping their star man and top scorer returns in time for their European final against Liverpool, which takes place in Kiev on May 26.
While the tie is essentially a dead rubber as Barcelona have already wrapped up the league, there’s plenty still to play, apart from the usual bragging rights, of course.
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The Catalans are on course to become the first team in La Liga history to end a 20-team season unbeaten while Real are looking to trip the gap between themselves and second-placed Atletico Madrid to a solitary point.