El Clasico: Barcelona Fans Hail One Player for ‘Pocketing’ Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior

• Ronaldo Araujo has been lauded by Barcelona fans for nullifying Vinicius Junior
• The defender kept the winger quiet during Barcelona's clash against Real Madrid
• Barcelona recorded a 1-0 win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu

Barcelona fans reckon Ronald Araujo once again 'pocketed' Vinicius Junior as the Real Madrid star fired blank against the Catalan giants.

The Uruguayan defender was one of the best performers as La Blaugrana pipped their arch-nemesis Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal clash on Thursday night.

The Barcelona defence had come in for much criticism in the past week after losing to Manchester United in the Europa League and Almeria in La Liga in the space of four days.

Araujo turned back the clock to deliver a commanding showing as he did a great job at right-back to neutralise the threat of the dangerous Vinicius Jr.

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And in the process, the 24-year-old versatile defender kept the Brazilian quiet, making him lose the ball 24 times, Barca Universal reports.

"I will face Vinicius many more times in my career. He is a spectacular player," Araujo said after the match.

Fans' reactions

Vinicius Junior failed to make a meaningful impact as fans online claimed he was nullified by Ronald Araujo.

@BarcaWorldwide tweeted:

Ronald Araújo has been arrested after he was caught trying to sneak out of the Bernabeu with Vinicius Jr in his pocket.

@Desmund_Oris tweeted:

The best defender in the World. Ronald Araujo. Kept Vinicus quiet the whole night. Appreciation tweet.

@MdSohel53019819 posted:

Vini always losers against Warrior Araujo.No doubt Araujo is The best CB in the world

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@MessiVineet said:

Yes, Ronald Araujo is the daddy of both madrid and Vinicius Jr

@FCBinfinite tweeted:

Ronald Araujo is the best defender in the world. And by far. What a player

@60_sec_lyrics asked:

Tell me a defender in world better than Ronald Araùjo right now?

Depleted Barca stun Madrid

Eder Militao's own goal handed a depleted Barcelona a surprise 1-0 away victory over Real Madrid in a stormy Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday, Sports Brief earlier reported.

The Catalans arrived on the back of two consecutive defeats and without an injured trio of key players including top scorer Robert Lewandowski, key midfielder Pedri and explosive winger Ousmane Dembele.

After their Europa League elimination by Manchester United last week and a first ever loss against La Liga minnows Almeria, Madrid fans smelled blood, but left bitterly frustrated.