The Bernabéu was a cauldron of noise. The air was heavy with rivalry. And when the final whistle echoed across Madrid, the scoreboard told the story: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1.
This wasn’t just another league game. This was a statement win.
⚽ Match Recap: Explosive First Half
Real Madrid struck first when Kylian Mbappé calmly slotted home in the 22nd minute after a clever assist from Jude Bellingham. The Frenchman’s timing was perfect, his finish clinical, and the stadium erupted.
Barcelona answered back swiftly. Just 16 minutes later, Fermín López buried a composed equalizer, silencing the crowd. But before halftime, Madrid’s No. 5 restored the lead. A loose ball in the box fell to Bellingham, who made no mistake from close range.
Halftime score: Real Madrid 2–1 Barcelona.
🧤 Second Half: Missed Chances and High Pressure
The game could have been wrapped up early in the second half when Mbappé stepped up to the penalty spot in the 52nd minute. But Szczęsny had other ideas, pulling off a fantastic save to keep Barça alive.
Barcelona controlled 68% of possession but couldn’t find a way past Thibaut Courtois. Their dominance was sterile. Real Madrid’s discipline and compact shape absorbed the pressure and killed the spaces.
📊 Match Stats
| Stat | Real Madrid | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 1 |
| xG (Expected Goals) | 3.60 | 1.03 |
| Possession | 32% | 68% |
| Total Shots | 23 | 15 |
| Shots on Target | 10 | 6 |
| Big Chances | 4 | 2 |
| Corners | 12 | 4 |
🧠 Tactical Breakdown
- Real Madrid: Direct, clinical, and ruthless in transition. Bellingham and Mbappé stretched Barcelona’s high line to its limit.
- Barcelona: Dominated the ball but lacked cutting edge in the final third.
- Key Moment: Pedri’s red card in stoppage time summed up Barça’s frustration.
This was a masterclass in game control without the ball.
⭐ Standout Performers
- Jude Bellingham: One goal, relentless energy, the heartbeat of Madrid’s midfield.
- Kylian Mbappé: A goal, a missed penalty, but constant danger.
- Thibaut Courtois: Huge saves in key moments.
- Wojciech Szczęsny: Penalty hero and Barça’s last line of defense.
🩹 Discipline and Late Drama
- Pedri sent off in the 90+10 minute for a second yellow.
- Militao and Lunin booked after heated protests.
- Nine minutes of added time filled with tension, tackles, and wasted chances.
📈 What This Win Means
- Real Madrid extend their lead at the top of La Liga.
- Barcelona’s unbeaten run in El Clásico comes to an end after four straight wins.
- The Mbappé-Bellingham era just produced its first big Clásico moment.
📝 Final Score
Real Madrid 2 – 1 Barcelona
⚽ Mbappé (22’), Bellingham (43’) | López (38’)