Lionel Messi kept the LaLiga title race alive as he hit Barcelona's winner for victory over Real Madrid.

Messi scored his 500th Barcelona goal as his stoppage-time winner against 10-man Real Madrid breathed life into his side's title challenge.

Messi - sporting a black eye and damaged teeth following Marcelo's first-half challenge - struck twice in a dramatic 3-2 win to take Barcelona to the top of LaLiga.

Ivan Rakitic was also on target for Barcelona, while Casemiro and James Rodriguez - the Colombian having equalised in the 85th minute - scored for hosts Real, who had captain Sergio Ramos sent off in the final quarter.

Ramos received an El Clasico red card for the second successive season 13 minutes from time after leaving the ground recklessly.

Barcelona go top because they have a better head-to-head record than Real, but Zinedine Zidane's team have a game on hand with six matches left to play.

Barca coach Luis Enrique spoke of a game between "two great teams which could have gone either way. The game had a high rhythm, it was uncontrollable at times, as both teams had played in the champions League. It was a game which demanded a lot physically and mentally."

For the Asturian, the win is "a huge morale boost and it will be a Sant Jordi well celebrated in Catalonia and remembered for many years."