Penalties from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ensured the first of four El Clasicos in coming days ended all square in the Santiago Bernabeu.
After a goalless first period, Raul Albiol was sent off for hauling David Villa down in the box and Messi slotted away the subsequent spot-kick on 53 minutes.
But Ronaldo rescued a point for Jose Mourinho's side with eight minutes remaining after Marcelo was fouled by Dani Alves in the box.
They remain eight points clear with only six games left, while they also boast the better head-to-head record against Madrid having won 5-0 at the Camp Nou earlier this season.
There were surprises in both starting line-ups, with Mourinho selecting centre-back Pepe in midfield and dropping Mesut Ozil to the bench, while Carles Puyol was brought straight back in for Barca after three months out through injury.
Puyol had not been expected to be fit until next week's Copa del Rey final, but his return was a huge boost for Barca, whose four defeats this season have been without their skipper on the pitch.
"Barcelona were much better than Madrid. It is a shame that we did not take the three points because we would have secured the league title," he told AS.
The result maintains the status quo in La Liga, with Barca eight points ahead of their rivals. It was a poorer result for Madrid than for the defending champions, but Xavi felt disappointed nonetheless.
"The draw does neither side much good. The team are always more ambitious and we wanted the three points. We controlled the game well and were good at the back but we made it hard for ourselves at the end," he said.
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