Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

Real Madrid have emerged victorious from the first El Clasico meeting of the season, as they edged past Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There was early controversy as Real Madrid were awarded a penalty for a foul on Vinicius Junior by Lamine Yamal, but a VAR check led to the decision being overturned by on-field referee Cesar Soto Grado. And the hosts’ frustrations with the technology heightened further when Kylian Mbappe saw his volleyed goal ruled out for offside.

However, they were not to be denied soon after as Mbappe opened the scoring, having been brilliantly played in by Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder played the ball in behind, and Real Madrid’s number 10 held his run before firing past Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Barcelona had been very poor up until this point, but they managed to find an equaliser on 36 minutes. Arda Guler was robbed by Pedri, and the play ended with Marcus Rashford teeing up Fermin Lopez for his fourth goal in two matches.

But Barcelona could not hang on until half time, as Real Madrid struck again to make it 2-1. Vinicius Junior delivered a wonderful cross to the back post, and Eder Militao’s header was tapped home by Bellingham for his second goal in as many games.

Minutes into the second period, Real Madrid and Mbappe had a golden chance to make it 3-1 when Eric Garcia was adjudged to have handled inside the penalty area, but Szczesny produced a huge save from 12 yards to keep Barcelona’s deficit at one.

Real Madrid take significant step towards La Liga title

However, it mattered little in the end as they could not get another equaliser, and they even had Pedri sent off to compound their woes. It means that Real Madrid are now five points clear at the top of La Liga, as Barcelona make it three defeats in their last five matches across all competitions.