Luis Suarez's header early in the second half looked to have handed Luis Enrique's men victory, only for Sergio Ramos to secure a point for the European champions
It had to be him.
With the clock ticking and Real Madrid heading for their first defeat of the season, Sergio Ramosrose highest to head home.
His goal cancelled out another header, from Luis Suarez, which looked to have earned Barcelonavictory in the latest instalment of El Clasico.
As a result, Luis Enrique's men remain six points adrift of their rivals at the top of the league.
Here are 10 things we learned from Camp Nou...
1. Barca's regret
Even at this stage in the season, Barcelona had to win here.
A six-point gap to their rivals before kick-off was bad enough but nine would have left them a mountain to climb.
And for more than half an hour, it looked as if Barcelona would haul themselves to within touching distance of the league leaders.
That was until Sergio Ramos struck what could prove to be a considerable blow.
2. Football remembers
From the Chapecoense shirt slung over Neymar's shoulder as he entered the stadium, to the fans' personal tributes, the Camp Nou stood as one to remember those from the Brazilian club who died in the plane crash earlier this week.
Players from both sides stood shoulder to shoulder before kick-off as the supporters fell silent and Barcelona's club anthem El Cant del Barca rang out.
3. Talking tactics
The hitherto impressive Mateo Kovacic was deployed on the left with his Croatian countryman Luca Modric partnering Isco in midfield, which meant no place for the more defensive minded Casemiro.
He had returned from a two-month injury lay-off in the 6-1 thrashing of Cultural Leonesa in midweek but was deemed fit enough for a place on the bench.
The Brazilian was introduced in the second-half as Isco was withdrawn but was unable to make an impact.
4. Bale missed
It might not be cutting-edge analysis to suggest Real Madrid missed the injured Gareth Bale in the biggest match of the season so far; but it is true.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were paired up front in a 4-4-2 formation but struggled to trouble the Barcelona back-line.
Ronaldo fired a couple of efforts high and wide but he and his strike partner spent more time on the ground than they did posing a threat.
5. Spot on?
The opening minutes were as frenetic as you'd expect and the visitors were left bewildered when their early appeals for a penalty were turned down.
Javier Mascherano's left leg clearly came across Lucas Vazquez and the Spaniard tumbled to the ground, but referee Carlos Clos Gomez was unmoved.
Barcelona wanted a spot-kick of their own minutes later when they claimed Sergi Roberto's cross hit the hand of Sergio Ramos but replays showed it hit the defender in the chest.
6. Waste of money?
Inflated transfer fees were all the rage this past summer and Andre Gomes' £25.5million move from Valencia to Barcelona is proving to be among the worst. The Portuguese retained his place in midfield despite Andres Iniesta's return from injury, but he was a virtual bystander.
All too often the 23-year-old allowed Modric and Isco to ghost past him as if he was taking part in an impromptu Mannequin Challenge.
It was a surprise, then, when Luis Enrique chose to leave him on when he made his first change - bringing on Andres Iniesta for Ivan Rakitic.
7. Main man Modric
There is surely only so long Luca Modric can be hailed as Real Madrid's unsung hero. The midfielder completed 36 of his 37 attempted passes in the first-half and left barely a blade of grass uncovered.
Perhaps his quite demeanour and unassuming personality will mean he never gets the recognition he deserves but there are few better players in his position right now.
8. Messi misses Iniesta
Having started from the bench, Andres Iniesta was brought on by Luis Enrique with his side in front in the second half, much to the delight of the home crowd who had been singing his name as he warmed up.
The maestro had not played since the 3-2 win over Valencia in October but his introduction helped spark Lionel Messi into life. The Argentine had been forced to come deep in a bid to jolt his side into life but Iniesta gave him the licence to do what he does best.
He should have made the game all but safe with 10 minutes to go however, only to drag his shot wide.
9. Neymar off colour
He might have set up Luis Suarez for the opening goal, but Neymar had an otherwise frustrating afternoon.
In a feisty first-half, he followed Isco into the referee's book when he raked his studs down Lucas Vazquez's ankle.
That booking rules him out of Barcelona's trip to Osasuna next weekend.
10. Ramos rescues Real
Cometh the last minute, cometh the man.
Just as he did against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final two years ago, Sergio Ramos came to his side's rescue.
Barcelona only have themselves to blame for conceding a free-kick in such a position at such a point in the match - and Arda Turan will hardly have endeared himself to the home side with the foul.
Ramos' leveller extends Real Madrid's unbeaten run to 33 games but Zinedine Zidane will be counting his lucky stars after what was a poor performance.
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