It was as if Yang Yang's sudden volley had jolted Barcelona awake, and they quickly steadied themselves.
Around ten minutes after kickoff, this outstanding possession-based team in the history of World Soccer began to find its rhythm and settle into its tempo. They started advancing slowly and steadily in their familiar passing style, circulating the ball nonstop and gradually applying pressure deep in Real Madrid's half.
During this period, Real Madrid did not immediately switch to counterattacking defense just because they were ahead. They continued to actively press high up the pitch, with the defensive line pushing forward as well, engaging Barcelona in a tug-of-war around the halfway line.
In the sixteenth minute, Barcelona created their best scoring chance since kickoff. Xavi took a quick free kick, and Busquets played a through ball into the box. After receiving it, Pedro did not immediately cross for Messi or Villa. Instead, he tried to dribble past Casillas, only to be brought down in the penalty area.
The referee did not signal a foul, but Barcelona's players pressured him, insisting that it was a penalty.
From the slow-motion replay in the live broadcast, Casillas had timed his charge perfectly and gone straight for the ball at Pedro's feet. The Barcelona winger had merely fallen from his own momentum; Casillas had nothing to do with it.
A minute later, Barcelona produced a brilliant combination. Alves sent a low pass into the box from the right, and Messi drove the ball straight into the net. However, the referee signaled offside. It was an indisputably correct decision—so accurate that even Messi himself did not argue.
Under Barcelona's immense attacking pressure, Real Madrid continued to show great courage.
In the twenty-first minute, Real Madrid successfully pressed high up the pitch. After winning the ball, they passed it