Mbappe double gives Mourinho victory as Real Madrid beat Barcelona in El Clasico

Jose Mourinho guided Real Madrid to a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico, ending the leaders’ nine-match winning run in La Liga.

Kylian Mbappe scored both goals for Real Madrid, including an 87th-minute winner, while Raphinha replied for Barcelona. The result was Barcelona’s second successive defeat, following their 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League several days earlier.

Real Madrid had been waiting since the 2023-24 season to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou. Their previous victory there came in October 2023, also by a 2-1 scoreline.

The win moved Real Madrid to 24 points in third place, one point behind second-placed Atletico Madrid. Barcelona remain top on 27 points.

Mbappe’s two goals took his total against Barcelona to 14. Eight have come for Real Madrid, with the other six scored during his time at Paris Saint-Germain.

Egypt striker Hamza Abdelkarim remained an unused substitute for Barcelona throughout the match.

Real Madrid take the lead

Both sides created early opportunities. Arda Guler tested Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia with a powerful strike, before Anthony Gordon responded with an effort that Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin held.

Guler went close again as Real Madrid increased the pressure, although Joan Garcia kept out his second shot. Raphinha then fired over from the edge of the area before sending another effort wide after being found by Lamine Yamal.

Barcelona were forced into an early change when Xavi Espart was injured and replaced by Alejandro Balde in the 29th minute.

Mbappe missed a chance to open the scoring five minutes later when his acrobatic attempt flew over the crossbar. Gordon continued to threaten for Barcelona, cutting into the penalty area before Lunin turned his left-footed shot behind for a corner.

Real Madrid finally made their pressure count in the 41st minute. A counter-attack ended with Cucurella delivering from the left. Gerard Martin attempted to clear, but the ball struck Mbappe and went into the Barcelona goal.

Lamine Yamal missed a strange chance to equalise after the ball reached him in front of goal, but he directed his shot wide. Rodri then sent a low left-footed effort straight at Lunin as Real Madrid went into half-time ahead.

Mbappe strikes late

Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni was booked early in the second half for a strong challenge on Pau Cubarsi. Jude Bellingham then missed the chance to double the lead when Cubarsi intervened at the crucial moment during his one-on-one opportunity.

Barcelona levelled in the 61st minute through Raphinha, who struck firmly from inside the area beyond Lunin. Real Madrid immediately made their first substitution, with Denzel Dumfries replacing Federico Valverde.

Barcelona introduced Frenkie de Jong for Fermin Lopez in the 74th minute, while Yamal narrowly missed a second goal four minutes later with an excellent shot from outside the area.

Eduardo Camavinga replaced Bernardo Silva in the 80th minute. Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus then came on for Gordon and Raphinha five minutes later.

Real Madrid secured victory in the 87th minute with another quick counter-attack. Guler’s clever pass was used by Camavinga, who deceived Barcelona defender Cubarsi before setting up Mbappe in front of an empty net.

Mbappe completed the scoring as Real Madrid won 2-1, intensifying the title race in La Liga.