Barcelona and Real Madrid played out a goalless Clasico draw at the Camp Nou, in a game largely dominated by the visiting team but without finding the cutting edge their build-up play deserved.
There were no particularly outstanding individual performances, but most of the men to catch the eye were wearing white.
Here’s how all the players rated.
BARCELONA
Starting XI
Marc-Andre ter Stegen 6. Made decent low stops from Casemiro and Valverde. Occasionally looked troubled by crosses.
Nelson Semedo 6. Made a couple of good runs down the right and did well against Mendy before being replaced.
Gerard Pique 7. Great goalline clearance to deny Benzema and a focused display to minimise Real’s penalty box threat.
Clement Lenglet 6. Stuck to his task despite regularly looking less than comfortable against the opposition’s movement.
Jordi Alba 7. Prominent during the first half, but sidefooted his team’s best chance wide after Messi’s glorious pass.
Sergi Roberto 7. Tried to drive his team forward from midfield and solid after moving to right-back after the break.
Ivan Rakitic 6. Replacing Sergio Busquets as the deep-lying midfielder, he played a diligent but unspectacular game.
Frenkie de Jong 6. Little impact in the first half but grew into the game and came close with a low shot.
Lionel Messi 6. Had a snapshot volley cleared off the line and teed up a great chance for Alba, but fluffed a good opening.
Luis Suarez 5. Frustrating night for the frontman, who was starved of service and curled his only chance well wide.
Antoine Griezmann 6. Desperately struggled to get involved in the first hour. Brighter after that before being replaced.
Subs
Arturo Vidal 6. Introduced early in the second half to add bite into the midfield, and did that with an energetic display.
Ansu Fati 5. Replaced Griezmann with 10 minutes left but had little chance to impress as the game petered out.
REAL MADRID
Starting XI
Thibaut Courtois 6. An unconvincing punch gave Messi a chance but he was otherwise solid, although rarely troubled.
Dani Carvajal 5. Very much second best against Alba, struggling to track his opponent’s runs. His team’s weak link.
Raphael Varane 7. A calm and commanding presence in defence, shackling Suarez well and never looking troubled.
Sergio Ramos 7. Made a brilliant goalline clearance to deny Messi and led his team with control and determination.
Ferland Mendy 6. Shaky in possession with some errant passes, but always willing to attack and worked hard defensively.
Casemiro 7. Threatened with a couple of long-range efforts and read the game well, helping giving his team control.
Fede Valverde 7. Came close with a pair of volleys and underlined his growing status with a strong all-round game.
Toni Kroos 6. Kept it simple but effective in midfield. Sent a long-range effort well wide. Faded after the break.
Isco 7. Impressed at the tip of a midfield diamond, prodding and probing with skill and invention. Bright display.
Gareth Bale 6. Playing wide right but with license to roam, he was influential but not decisive, firing a good chance wide.
Karim Benzema 7. Had the game’s first shot and then a header cleared off the line. Good movement and link play.
Subs
Luka Modric 6. Came into the midfield for Valverde, helping restore some order after a strong spell for Barca.
Rodrygo 5. Replaced Bale for the latter stages and looked for chances to attack but didn’t really find them.
