Real Madrid hosted Barcelona in the latest instalment of El Clasico, a top-of-the-table clash that saw Los Blancos extend their lead at the summit of La Liga following a fiery encounter.
A CLASSIC CLASH
After four straight El Clasico defeats in all competitions last campaign, Real Madrid bounced back to beat Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu in their first meeting of the season.
The 2-1 victory on Sunday 26th October put Los Blancos five points clear of their Catalan rivals at the top of La Liga after 10 games, with the visitors succumbing to their second defeat of the season following a 4-1 drubbing away to Sevilla earlier in the month.
With the bit between their teeth, Real Madrid began a breathless contest on the front foot as they set about breaching Barcelona’s high defensive line from the get-go.
The hosts looked to have capitalised on their bright start as they were awarded a penalty in the second minute for a foul on Vinícius Júnior, however it was overturned after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, which determined the Brazilian winger kicked the leg of Spanish star Lamine Yamal before going down.
VAR soon intervened again to rule out a stunning 25-yard volley from Kylian Mbappé, whose strike from the edge of the box was disallowed for a marginal offside.
Undeterred, Mbappe finally gave Real Madrid the lead in the 22nd minute, slotting past goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny in the Barcelona goal after being played through by a defence-splitting pass from Jude Bellingham.
CHAOTIC CONTEST
Los Blancos continued to pepper the visitors’ goal but were caught out in the 38th minute by a Barcelona counter-attack that ended with another Englishman, Marcus Rashford, squaring for Fermín López to equalise against the run of play.
A frantic first half finished with Real Madrid retaking the lead through Bellingham, who picked the perfect time to score and assist his first La Liga goals of the campaign.
The midfielder was left unmarked at the back post to notch his fourth goal in five appearances against Barcelona.
It was marred in controversy, however, as the visitors felt Pau Cubarsí was impeded by Dean Huijsen as he tried to clear Éder Militão’s header across the face of goal.
VAR intervened once again at the start of the second half to award Real Madrid a debatable penalty after the ball inadvertently struck the hand of Eric García, who slid in to challenge Bellingham.
Mbappé was denied from the spot by Szczęsny, who produced a fine one-handed save in the 52nd minute to keep Barcelona in the game.
Real Madrid then had another goal ruled out for offside with 20 minutes remaining as Bellingham tapped in a low Brahim Díaz cross.
The match ended in chaos with clashes on the touchline between the two rivals and a red card for Pedri, who was sent off for Barcelona 10 minutes into added time.
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GETTING TO EL CLASICO
El Clasico tickets are always in high demand as fans flock to watch one of the world’s most fierce and famous football rivalries.
Those lucky enough to attend can purchase from Seatsnet, the largest marketplace for live sport, concert, theatre, and festival tickets.
Seatsnet offers tickets from authorised resellers and uses cutting-edge technology to find the right seats at the best price.
If attending El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabéu, Ryanair flies to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) from various destinations across Europe.
For a convenient and comfortable stay in the heart of the action, the AC Hotel Aitana by Marriott is perfectly located right next to the stadium on the Paseo de la Castellana.
MATCH STATS
Real Madrid: 2 – Barcelona: 1
- Possession percentage – RM31.6 – B68.4
- Shots – RM23 – B15
- Shots on target – RM10 – B6
- Saves – RM4 – B9
- Corners – RM12 – B4
- Fouls – RM12 – B9
- Offsides – RM5 – B2
