Barcelona vs Real Madrid Review
Kylian Mbappe’s two goals secured a 2-1 win for Real Madrid against Barcelona in the 265th El Clasico, preventing their rivals from becoming the first team in LaLiga history to start the season with 10 consecutive wins. Although league leaders Barcelona were aiming to make history, Madrid had the initial chance when Arda Guler intercepted a misplaced pass from Pedri and sprinted into the box, only to fire his shot over the crossbar.
This opportunity would have pleased Jose Mourinho, who was managing his first Clasico since March 2013, but the ever-volatile Madrid coach received his first warning from referee Juan Martinez Munuera just 10 minutes in after protesting a foul called against Aurelien Tchouameni. Barca faced a setback around the 30-minute mark when right-back Xavi Espart got injured and was substituted by Alejandro Balde. Trying to take advantage, Mbappe attempted an acrobatic volley that went over the crossbar, and Anthony Gordon had a close-range shot saved behind by Andriy Lunin, who was making his season debut after Thibaut Courtois was sidelined with the flu.
However, Mbappe eventually netted his 10th league goal of the season just four minutes before halftime, in a lucky manner, when Gerard Martin’s clearance hit Madrid’s leading scorer six yards out and went into the goal. The first half concluded with several chances, as Lamine Yamal and Yan Diomande missed well-placed shots, and with the next goal being vital, Barca supporters increased their cheering early in the second half. Their enthusiasm paid off in the 61st minute when Blaugrana’s top scorer Raphinha received the ball inside the penalty area and scored in the far corner, marking his 15th goal across all competitions this season.
Los Blancos tried to respond immediately, with Joan Garcia blocking Guler’s quick shot, but Barca remained lively, and Lunin made an incredible reflex save to deny Martin’s header. Yamal curled a shot just wide, and Frenkie de Jong had a shot blocked in the final moments, but Mbappe clinched the win three minutes before the end as Eduardo Camavinga outpaced Garcia to a through ball and passed it to his French teammate to score.
This marked Madrid’s first win at the Nou Camp since October 2023, and only their second in the last eight encounters (with six losses), while extending Mourinho’s unbeaten streak against the Blaugrana as Madrid’s coach to six games (four wins, two draws). Los Blancos stay third in the standings but are now only three points behind their rivals, whose streak of 23 consecutive home league wins ended dramatically.
