Barca, Real play goalless in El Clasico

Barcelona's Argentine forward Lionel Messi (L) vies with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Rodrygo (C) and Real Madrid's French defender Ferland Mendy (R) during the "El Clasico" Spanish League football match between Barcelona FC and Real Madrid CF at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona on December 18, 2019,

Barcelona and Real Madrid played out a goalless and largely uneventful El Clasico at the Nou Camp .

Gareth Bale’s disallowed goal was the closest either side came to scoring , but Real left-back Ferland Mendy was judged to be offside in the build -up .

The result sees defending champions Barca stay top of La Liga with Real second on goal difference .

Both clubs are now five points clear of Sevilla who lost to Villarreal on Sunday.

The 179 th La Liga meeting between these sides was originally scheduled for 26 October but was postponed because of fears of civil unrest in Catalonia .

Both teams shared the same hotel in the lead-up to Wendnesday ’s game and travelled to the ground together , two hours before kick -off amid security concerns.