El Clasico: 'Action' galore with 28 fouls, 8 yellows, 1 red as the arch-rivals settle for 2-2

Sergi Roberto was sent off on the stroke of half-time for an altercation with Real defender Marcelo. The Brazilian was immediately forced to the ground after a contact with Roberto, prompting the referee to take out the red card.(Photo | AP)

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez felt he had been elbowed by Sergio Ramos, prompting the first round of scuffles. (Photo | AP)

Uruguayan Suarez was incensed and the Spanish defender, as always, was a more than willing participant. (Photo | AP)

But then came something unusual. Seconds later, superstar Lionel Messi, known for his mild-mannered behaviour on the pitch was seen sliding wildly into the Madrid captain to be booked immediately. (Photo | AP)

Suarez's blatant kick on Raphael Varane went unpunished and from there it was all about Messi. He skipped away first from Ramos, and then Casemiro, before firing into the bottom corner. (Photo | AP)

Then came the incident involving Marcelo and Roberto, making the first half tally finish at five yellow cards and one red – four cards between a minute. (Photo | AP)

Real tried to make the most of their one-man advantage but in truth, they had been far more assertive 11 against 11. Instead, their goal in the 72nd minute came out of the blue as Bale raced onto Asensio's pass and whipped the ball first-time into the top corner. (Photo | AP)

Gareth Bale, who later found place in the score sheet caught Samuel Umtiti from behind and forced the referee into another decision. (Photo | AP)

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema jumps to avoid a raging sliding tackle from Barca's Gerard Pique. (Photo | AP)

Real should have had a late penalty when Alba cleared out Marcelo but referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez somehow decided the challenge was clean. It was the final controversy of a surprisingly heated El Clasico.(Photo | AP)