Barcelona took a massive step towards reclaiming the La Liga crown with a sensational 4-3 comeback win over Real Madrid in a thrilling Clasico showdown at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
Despite a stunning first-half hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé, which made him the highest-scoring debutant in Real Madrid history with 39 goals across all competitions, Los Blancos couldn’t hold their early advantage. Barcelona responded with a ruthless attacking display that left them seven points clear at the top with just three matches remaining.
⚽ First Half Drama: Mbappé on Fire, Barça Hit Back
Real Madrid started with intensity and precision, racing into a 2-0 lead within 14 minutes. Mbappé coolly converted a penalty after being brought down by Wojciech Szczęsny, then latched onto Vinícius Jr’s through ball to slot home his second.
But Barcelona, unchanged from their Champions League semi-final loss to Inter Milan earlier in the week, quickly shook off their fatigue. Eric García began the comeback with a powerful header from a corner, and Lamine Yamal—quiet until that point—curled in a stunning equalizer to spark a wave of momentum.
Two more goals followed in a frantic spell before the break. Raphinha capitalized on a defensive mix-up to fire in from the left, and then made it 4-2 just before half-time by finishing Ferran Torres’ cut-back after stealing the ball from Lucas Vázquez.
Second Half: VAR Drama and Near Misses
Barcelona started the second half strong with Raphinha once again racing forward to set up Yamal, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Madrid pulled one back through Mbappé, completing his hat-trick with 20 minutes to go and keeping the tension alive.
Chances came and went at both ends—Victor Muñoz missed a one-on-one, Mbappé forced Szczęsny into a fine save, and Raphinha wasted a golden opportunity to seal the game.
Fermín López thought he had netted a brilliant fifth goal for Barça, but VAR chalked it off for handball in the build-up.
Barça on the Brink of Glory
With this victory, Barcelona have now defeated Real Madrid in all four competitions this season: La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa del Rey. It’s the first time since the 1982-83 campaign that the Catalans have won four Clasicos in one season.
More tellingly, Madrid have conceded 16 goals across those matches—a stark reminder of their defensive issues as Barça’s resurgence continues under Hansi Flick.
Barcelona can clinch the title with a win over Espanyol on Thursday, or if Real Madrid fail to beat Mallorca on Wednesday.
Player Ratings (Top Performers)
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| Lamine Yamal | 8.75 |
| Raphinha | 8.63 |
| Ferran Torres | 7.99 |
| Pedri | 7.94 |
| Dani Olmo | 7.82 |
| Fermín López | 7.77 |
| Frenkie de Jong | 7.76 |
| Eric García | 7.58 |
