Real Madrid overcame a passionate El Clasico at the Bernabeu, beating Barcelona 2-1 to go five points clear at the top of La Liga.
This was a revenge mission of epic proportions for the hosts. Barcelona won all four meetings between the two sides last season in three separate competitions, including a 4-0 win in this match exactly a year ago.
But the visitors were without a host of big names on this occasion – Rafina and Robert Lewandowski among them – and were wildly open as Real created overloads all over the pitch, hitting 10 shots on goal in total.
VAR denied the hosts a penalty and the opening goal before Kylian Mbappe headed home after a sumptuous pass from Jude Bellingham in the 22nd minute, preferring to mock Barca’s famously troubled high line.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring and also missed a penalty in the second half
Hansi Flick’s side hit back through Fermin Lopez, who was set up by Marcus Rashford, to level the score momentarily, but they were no match for Real’s technical quality. Xabi Alonso simply managed the game better and the hosts did not look like conceding the lead after Bellingham headed Eder Militao past the otherwise brilliant Wojciech Szczesny.
Mbappe also missed a penalty, while Pedri was sent off late on for two yellow cards in as many minutes, but each was fortuitous. Real deservedly won, ending Barcelona’s winning streak in this notoriously exciting match.
Emotions overflow in a tense game
A scuffle broke out between both dugouts after Pedri was sent off just before the final whistle. The brawl continued after the game ended, with Vinicius, who had earlier protested his own substitution, and Lamine Jamal among those involved. Jamal’s pre-match comments suggesting Real were “complaining a lot” reportedly irked the opposition camp.
Speaking about the incident after the match, manager Alonso said: “A fight at the last minute? I think it reflected the intensity and importance of the game. I think it’s a healthy competition.”
Bellingham back to its best?
Bellingham produced another great performance in El Clasico
Analysis of ski sports Laura Hunter:
Barcelona scored 16 goals above their arch-rivals during last season’s four-game El Clasico rout. It played a big part in their home treble and, perhaps just as importantly, made a mockery of Real’s usual superiority.
But here, in a brand new season with different main characters, Barca were lacking. They had no breakthrough or penetration. Real limited Lamina Yamal’s influence and allowed Marcus Rashford only a few brief moments. Of the two Englishmen on the show, it was Bellingham who prevailed.
Rashford undoubtedly had a tougher task given the absences and remained a decent scorer, but the Real midfielder made two decisive contributions. Bellingham was asked to close down inside channels, win second balls and service Mbappe. He did everything superbly.
Thomas Tuchel will no doubt be aware. He was looking for a better, more focused Bellingham. This version was pretty close to perfect.