Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: Score and Reaction from 2016 El Clasico

Sergio Ramos scored a late equaliser in Saturday's Clasico against Barcelona to preserve Real Madrid's unbeaten start to the 2016-17 La Liga season, with Los Blancos holding on for a 1-1 draw.

After a cagey first half that saw few chances, Luis Suarez gave the hosts the lead early in the second half. Barcelona missed several great chances to kill the match, and Ramos popped up late to tie things up. 

As Barcelona's official Twitter account shared, Andres Iniesta wasn't fit enough to make the starting XI, with Andre Gomes getting the start instead:

For Real, Pepe and Marco Asensio were both on the bench, per their Twitter account:

As expected, the first Clasico of the season started with plenty of intensity, with harsh tackles dominating the opening stages. Lucas Vazquez appealed for a penalty less than three minutes into the match, after a clumsy challenge from Javier Mascherano. Replays confirmed the winger had a case.

Even Catalan news outlet Sport English agreed:

The Blaugrana took control of possession early, with Isco and Luka Modric working to intercept the ball and launch counters. Neymar did plenty of damage with some driving runs, but overall, Los Blancos didn't give up many chances.

Sergio Ramos blocked a Sergi Roberto shot after a lovely cross from Neymar, and Mascherano did well to chase down a drive from Mateo Kovacic.

Isco earned the first booking of the match for a perceived trip on Neymar, and once again, Real had reason to complain about the officiating, as the Brazilian was barely touched.

JOSEP LAGO/Getty Images

Modric could have been booked for a heavy tackle on Lionel Messi, getting some ball but mostly the Argentinian's ankles, and Gerard Pique was somewhat fortunate not to be called for a clear foul on Karim Benzema on the edge of the box.

Real stopper Keylor Navas didn't see much action in the first half, but he did well to take the sting out of a Messi free-kick, directing the ball toward the ground.

With chances so few in the first half, fans and pundits alike started to grow impatient. Coral joined in on the action:

Suarez had a shot blocked by Raphael Varane, before yet another controversial call went Barcelona's way. Marc-Andre ter Stegen was caught in no-man's land following a great cross from Marcelo, and Mascherano clearly grabbed Cristiano Ronaldo's shirt, stopping him from heading the ball, before Jordi Alba cleared.

Neymar joined Isco in the book after a bad challenge on Vazquez, before Marcelo powered a shot wide from outside the box. Ronaldo couldn't work the ball past Ter Stegen after a fast counter-attack, and the Portuguese striker had no luck with his finish after a darting run and nutmeg on Mascherano.

Many still weren't impressed, however, including Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC:

Barcelona wanted a handball called on Dani Carvajal shortly before half-time, but the official didn't budge, and Navas dealt easily with a clever header from Suarez. 

David Ramos/Getty Images

The hosts started the second half in better form, however, pushing Real back. Isco had to make a key block to stop the ball from reaching a wide-open Neymar, and the resulting corner amounted to nothing.

Ronaldo wildly fired a shot over before the Catalans took the lead through Suarez. The Uruguay international headed home a free-kick, giving Navas no chance. Per Corrigan, his defence didn't give him much help:

The Catalans grew in confidence after the goal, aiming to finish things off on the counter. Navas came off his line quickly after a great through ball from Messi, pushing the ball into Suarez's feet and out for a goal-kick.

With 30 minutes left to play, Iniesta made his way onto the pitch after a lengthy absence due to injury. Per sports writer Nik Postinger, the Camp Nou gave him quite the reception:

Neymar went for glory instead of crossing the ball from a promising position, firing over one of the best chances of the second half. Iniesta also went close, with Carvajal deflecting his shot into the side netting at the last second. 

Varane made a fantastic block to deny Neymar, throwing himself in front of the ball, and Mascherano returned the favour when Modric found some space. 

David Ramos/Getty Images

Both Ramos and Varane almost connected with a Modric corner, and Ronaldo was denied a chance by some heroic defending. Messi should have made it 2-0 with eight minutes left to play, with Iniesta teeing him up perfectly. Somehow, the Argentina international pushed his shot wide.

Sam Marsden of Sport praised the veteran for the pass that led to the chance:

Ramos headed one of Real's only chances over the bar after a cross from Carvajal as time started to run out. Ronaldo also had a huge opportunity, but his header at the back post bounced off Alba.

Barcelona were playing with fire, and Ramos burned them just before the final whistle, powering home a fantastic header after a cross from Modric. Footy Accumulators wasn't surprised:

Per Corrigan, Barcelona manager Luis Enrique thought his team deserved more:

Real counterpart Zinedine Zidane didn't think the match will impact Barcelona's momentum moving forward:

Next up for the La Liga giants is the UEFA Champions League. Real Madrid will host Borussia Dortmund, while Barcelona face Borussia Monchengladbach.