Real Madrid reclaimed supremacy over archrivals Barcelona with a 2-1 win in Sunday’s El Clasico, courtesy of goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
The victory at the Santiago Bernabeu not only ended Madrid’s four-game losing streak in the iconic fixture but also pushed them five points clear atop the La Liga table.
Madrid struck first when Mbappe, the league’s top scorer, converted after being sent through by Bellingham’s pinpoint pass.
The French forward, who later missed a penalty, celebrated his 11th league goal of the season with trademark confidence as the Bernabeu roared in approval.
Barcelona responded through Fermin Lopez, who capitalised on a mistake by Arda Guler to level the score just before halftime. However, the parity was short-lived.
Five minutes later, Bellingham restored Madrid’s advantage with a poacher’s finish, tapping home after Eder Militao redirected Vinicius Junior’s cross.
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Despite controlling possession, Barcelona’s depleted lineup struggled to find rhythm. Key absences — including Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Dani Olmo — limited their attacking potency, while teenage winger Lamine Yamal, still recovering from injury, found little joy against Madrid’s disciplined defence.
Madrid could have increased their lead early in the second half, but goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny denied Mbappe from the penalty spot after Eric Garcia’s handball.
The miss gave Barcelona faint hope, yet Madrid remained composed, closing down spaces and frustrating the visitors.
Tempers flared late in the match when Pedri was sent off for a second yellow card, sparking brief clashes between players and staff from both sides. The tension underscored the rivalry’s fierce nature but did little to change the outcome.
Manager Xabi Alonso, who has guided Madrid to nine wins in ten league games, praised his team’s focus after the match.
Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni also credited Madrid’s tactical discipline and team spirit for the victory, adding that Yamal’s pre-match comments had only fuelled their determination.
With the win, Real Madrid reaffirmed their title credentials and sent a clear message to their Catalan rivals: the balance of power in Spain’s footballing rivalry has swung firmly back to the capital.
BBC
