Real Madrid v Barcelona: el clásico – in pictures

As the fans gather outside the stadium, the stalls are already set up outside to sell the commemorative scarves Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Gareth Bale jumps up as the teams enter the stadium in front of the home fans Photograph: Paul White/AP

Just seven minutes in and Barcelona don't seem put off by the intense atmosphere at the Bernabéu as Andrés Iniesta puts them 1-0 up after seven minutes Photograph: Paul Hanna/Reuters

An absolute beast of a goal – with the defence all over Lionel Messi, he passed the ball to Iniesta, and Dani Carvajal makes a fatal error in giving him some space. The result is a beautiful strike sending the ball past the keeper, and bouncing in off the underside of the crossbar Photograph: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Despite two early misses, Benzema redeems himself by equalising for Madrid after 20 minutes. A cross from Ángel di María finds Benzema looming above Javier Mascherano to head the ball home Photograph: Sergio Perez/Reuters

Despite early worries about the Real Madrid defence, the teams find themselves level Photograph: Stringer/Spain/Reuters

Two minutes later, and it's a second goal from Benzema to give the home team the lead. Once again Di María chipped the ball into the area, once again Mascherano missed the header, and the ball went straight to Benzema. This time, he took one touch to control the ball, then sent it into the back of the net Photograph: Sergio Perez/Reuters

With three minutes to go until the whistle is blown for half-time, Lionel Messi brings it back to 2-2. A botched tackle from Carvajal on Neymar in the Madrid box sent the ball to Messi. One dodged tackle later and he put it past Lopez with his left foot Photograph: Gerard Julien/AFP/Getty Images

The goal is not without its controversy, however. After a minor clash between Pepe and Cesc Fábregas, the pair were knocked to the ground after an attempt to intervene by Sergio Ramos … Photograph: Andres Kudacki/AP

… then, as both teams engaged in a 'passionate discussion' with referee Alberto Undiano, Sergio Busquets appeared to stamp on Pepe's head as he lay on the ground. Debate remains as to whether it was on purpose or an accident, however, controversially, the incident went unpunished Photograph: Paul Hanna/Reuters

The contoversy continues in the second half as a foul leads to a penalty for Madrid. Ronaldo hammers the ball home, but whether the foul actually happened inside the box is disputed. 3-2! Photograph: Paul Hanna/Reuters

The tension becomes unbearable as another penalty is called. This time Ramos is adjudged to have brought down Neymar and denied a goal-scoring opportunity. Messi tucks it home, while Ramos receives his marching orders Photograph: Stringer/Spain/Reuters

Another penalty! After Iniesta goes down between Carvajal and Xabi Alonso, Messi completes a hat-trick with the clock counting down. 4-3 to Barcelona Photograph: Paul Hanna/Reuters

Barcelona take the win. Both teams now trail Atlético Madrid by just a single point in the league table Photograph: Juan Carlos Hidalgo/EPA