Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1, ending their three-year wait for a Clasico victory in Barcelona.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico, boosting their LaLiga title hopes and ending their three-year wait for a win in Barcelona.
Mbappe sealed the victory in the 87th minute, finishing Eduardo Camavinga’s cutback after an impressive individual move by Jude Bellingham. The goal sparked wild celebrations among Real Madrid’s players and coaching staff.
Real had taken the lead in the 41st minute when a clearance by Barcelona defender Gerard Martin struck Mbappe and went into the net. The goal came at the end of a promising attacking move by the visitors.
Barcelona responded in the second half and equalised in the 61st minute through Raphinha, whose low shot from inside the area beat Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin despite his attempt to save it.
The hosts pressed for a winner, with Lunin producing an important save to deny Martin before Lamine Yamal narrowly missed the target in the 78th minute.
However, Real Madrid delivered the decisive blow through Mbappe, moving within three points of their rivals in the league standings. Atletico Madrid are also in contention, sitting two points behind Barcelona.
The defeat was another setback for Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, whose side had suffered a Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain after beginning the season with an 11-game winning streak.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho praised his players’ performance, describing the match as a high-level contest between two teams determined to win.
He commended his side’s organisation, focus and courage in playing out from the back against Barcelona’s pressing game.
Mourinho, however, criticised the video assistant referee for failing to intervene in an incident involving Barcelona defender Joao Cancelo and Real Madrid’s Yan Diomande in the 57th minute. He argued that Cancelo should have received a red card for a challenge in which his studs made contact with Diomande’s calf.
Mbappe described the result as a team victory and said it had sent a positive message about Real Madrid’s ambitions this season.
He said the win would give the squad confidence but stressed that the title race remained open and the team needed to maintain its collective effort.
Barcelona manager Flick acknowledged his side’s disappointment, saying the team lacked freshness in the first half but improved after Raphinha’s equaliser.
Flick said Barcelona had controlled parts of the second half but failed to capitalise on their opportunities. He added that the team would analyse the defeat and work to improve ahead of its next matches.
The result strengthens Real Madrid’s position in the title race, while Barcelona will look to recover from consecutive defeats in domestic and European competition.
