Barcelona suffer first Liga defeat of season
line of their own and they went close to equalising after 10 minutes when Carlos Vela knocked a free-kick to Xabi Prieto, who had been left unmarked in the box, but he hit the side netting.
Real were refusing to sit back and defend and wait for their chances on the counter as so many sides do against Barca but it meant they left themselves open at the back and Pedro hit the post with a 20-yard strike on his weaker right foot.
The Canary Islander did extend Barca's lead midway through the half as he slid in to knock home a Dani Alves cross from close range.
Barca were again denied by the post after Messi had lobbed the ball over the keeper and then Real got back into the game through Castro, who fired in a clinical drive from the left of the area after being set up by Vela.
After the break Real managed to ruffle Barca with Pique receiving a second yellow card and then Castro got his second of the night.
Real were pressing forward and an Asier Illarramendi deep cross found Castro whose shot was deflected in off Javier Mascherano.
There was no late rally this time as has so often happened this season from Barca and instead they conceded at the death as Agirretxe scored from close range.
Malaga's hopes of a top four finish suffered a further blow as they could only draw 1-1 at home to Celta Vigo while new Sevilla coach Unai Emery saw his side
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