Real Madrid asserts dominance in fiery Clásico, extends LaLiga lead over Barcelona

MADRID – Real Madrid secured a pivotal 2-1 victory over rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, October 26, 2025, with goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham sealing a significant win that extends their lead at the top of LaLiga to five points. The hard-fought contest, marked by tactical intensity and dramatic moments, saw Madrid snap a four-match losing streak against their Clásico adversaries, solidifying Xabi Alonso’s burgeoning tenure.

The match, which kicked off at 02:04 PM ET, began with a high tempo characteristic of the fixture. Real Madrid thought they had taken an early lead in the 12th minute when Kylian Mbappé found the net with a powerful strike from distance. However, a VAR review subsequently ruled the goal out for a fractional offside, denying the French forward an immediate impact. Undeterred, Mbappé demonstrated his prolific form just ten minutes later, converting another opportunity to give Real Madrid the lead. This marked his 16th goal across all competitions this season, with 11 coming in LaLiga.

Barcelona, however, responded with resilience. In the 38th minute, Fermín López, fresh from a midweek UEFA Champions League hat-trick against Olympiacos, capitalized on a pass from Marcus Rashford. López timed his run perfectly into the box to meet the delivery and level the score, injecting renewed belief into the visitors. The parity was short-lived, though, as Jude Bellingham restored Real Madrid’s lead just five minutes later. The English midfielder, renowned for his knack of decisive Clásico goals, was left unmarked and tapped in a close-range effort, ensuring Madrid went into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.

The second half continued with similar intensity. Real Madrid pushed to extend their lead, with Mbappé again central to their attacking efforts. He was presented with an opportunity from the penalty spot, but Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny produced an excellent save to deny the forward. This miss briefly recalled Mbappé’s previous struggles from the spot, despite having converted his last five penalties before this encounter. Real Madrid also had three additional goals disallowed for offside throughout the game, highlighting their attacking threat and Barcelona’s defensive struggles to maintain a high line effectively.

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As the match approached its conclusion, Barcelona attempted to rally, but clear-cut chances remained elusive. A late opportunity fell to Jules Koundé, but the defender could not quite control the ball to trouble Thibaut Courtois significantly. The game’s intensity boiled over in the final moments when Barcelona midfielder Pedri received a second yellow card for a late challenge, leading to his expulsion. The red card triggered a heated exchange between players and staff from both sides, culminating in a post-match brawl that underscored the fierce rivalry.

Alonso’s Tactical Statement Amidst High Stakes

For Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, this victory represented a significant milestone. Since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti in the summer, Alonso’s tenure had shown signs of promise, but the team had faltered in previous high-profile encounters. A 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinals and a 5-2 loss to Atlético Madrid in the Madrid derby a month prior had raised questions about his ability to deliver in crucial fixtures. Sunday’s Clásico win, however, served as his first signature victory, a powerful statement of intent in the most important game for Real Madrid.

The context of last season’s four defeats to Barcelona under Ancelotti, with an aggregate score of 16-7, had been a clear indicator of the need for change. Alonso’s Real Madrid displayed a stark contrast in performance, characterized by intense pressing, aggression, and cohesion. The tactical decision to field an extra midfielder, sacrificing a wide player, proved effective. Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga joined Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler in a compact 4-4-2 formation when out of possession, successfully disrupting Barcelona’s build-up play and frequently pressing goalkeeper Szczesny and center-backs Pau Cubarsí and Eric García.

Despite the comprehensive performance, challenges remain for Alonso, notably managing the public dissent of Vinícius Júnior, who reacted vehemently to being substituted in the 72nd minute. Furthermore, there were moments when Madrid’s defense appeared vulnerable, even if Barcelona struggled to convert these into significant chances. Nonetheless, this Clásico triumph is concrete evidence of real progress under Alonso, signaling a potential shift in the dynamic of the rivalry and the LaLiga title race.

Barcelona’s Defensive Struggles and Injury Impact

Barcelona’s defensive frailties were a recurring theme throughout the match. Despite coach Flick’s preference for a high defensive line, the execution of defensive duties was consistently found wanting in a fixture of this magnitude. The opening goal saw Alejandro Balde play Mbappé onside, while Bellingham’s decisive second goal stemmed from Balde being beaten too easily in the air by Éder Militão, leaving the English midfielder unmarked for a simple tap-in.

Beyond the goals, individual defensive lapses were evident. Jules Koundé was often too passive when defending against Vinícius Júnior in one-on-one situations. Questions also persist regarding the long-term viability of the center-back pairing of Eric García and Pau Cubarsí at this elite level. While García, who gave away the penalty missed by Mbappé, and Cubarsí offer significant ball-playing ability, Flick’s favored partnership was tested severely. The absence of Iñigo Martínez, who departed in the summer, further compounds the defensive issues, as many had anticipated a partnership between Cubarsí and Ronald Araújo in the heart of Barcelona’s backline. The current pairing, while offering offensive attributes, struggles to provide the necessary defensive solidity against the world’s best forwards.

Barcelona’s woes were exacerbated by a significant injury crisis, particularly in attacking positions. Key players such as Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Gavi, and Dani Olmo were all unavailable. This severely limited Flick’s tactical options from the bench, forcing him to delay substitutions until the final 15 minutes and rely on less conventional attacking solutions, including bringing on Ronald Araújo and Marc Casadó to try and salvage a result. The lack of depth proved detrimental to their ability to mount a sustained comeback.

Key Player Performances Under Scrutiny

Kylian Mbappé: The French forward entered the Clásico with a point to prove, seeking to exorcise demons from his debut Clásico, a 0-4 loss where he was caught offside a career-high eight times without scoring. While not a flawless performance due to the penalty miss and two disallowed goals for offside, it was a significant improvement. His legitimate goal, his 16th of the season, demonstrated clinical finishing. Despite having the fewest touches of any player on the pitch, his influence on Real Madrid’s attack was undeniable.

Jude Bellingham: Bellingham reaffirmed his status as a Clásico hero, adding another match-winning goal to his collection after his dramatic interventions in both encounters during his debut 2023-24 campaign. This goal marked his second in a week, following his decisive strike against Juventus in midweek. His ability to be in the right place at the right time, combined with an assist for Mbappé via a perfectly executed through ball, showcased his importance. His return from shoulder surgery in July had been slow, but this performance suggested he is regaining the form that defined his sensational first season in Spain.

Fermín López: The Barcelona midfielder continued his impressive scoring run, netting the equalizer after his Champions League hat-trick. His Frank Lampard-esque knack for arriving in the box at the opportune moment was evident. However, his desire for goals also led to moments in the second half where he opted for ambitious shots from the edge of the area, both saved by Courtois, instead of potentially seeking a pass, highlighting a balance he still needs to strike between individual ambition and team play.

Lamine Yamal: The young winger was unequivocally the public enemy number one at the Bernabéu. His midweek comments suggesting Real Madrid "get all the refereeing calls" and still "complain" ignited the home support, leading to fierce jeering and whistling with every touch. Despite Barcelona assistant coach Marcus Sorg’s assertion that "criticism motivates him," Yamal struggled to produce his best under the intense spotlight, particularly against the diligent defending of Álvaro Carreras. A late shift into a more central role came too late to significantly alter his impact.

The victory not only provides Real Madrid with a crucial five-point buffer at the summit of LaLiga but also offers significant psychological momentum. For Barcelona, the defeat underscores defensive vulnerabilities and the profound impact of their current injury crisis, leaving them with much to address as the season progresses. The enduring intensity of the Clásico was once again on full display, promising more drama in future encounters.