Mbappe says Real Madrid’s Barcelona win proves they have the quality to challenge for the title

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou in the 10th round of the Spanish league, then insisted the victory was the result of a collective performance.

The France forward’s two goals secured a significant win for Real Madrid, while Raphinha scored Barcelona’s only goal. The result moved Real Madrid to within three points of their rivals in the title race.

“The truth is that the player of the match today was the team and the group, because we knew we needed to produce a collective performance,” Mbappe told Real Madrid’s television channel.

“We prepared well in the last few matches, won games and played well with the right mentality. We showed everything we have. There were difficult moments during the match, and others when we controlled the game, but winning and staying in the title race is extremely important.”

Mbappe said Real Madrid must not become complacent after beating their main rivals.

“We have to keep working. We know it was a big match, but it is worth only three points, and there are still many points to collect if we want to win the league,” he said.

“This victory will mean nothing if we do not continue in the same way. We are Real Madrid and we have to carry on. Winning five matches in a row is not enough for us, because we want to win every game.

“Winning at Camp Nou is a good message, but we must not think the season is over. We have to play with the same intensity next week against Racing.”

Mbappe left the stadium wearing a shirt bearing the number 100, marking the goals milestone he reached with Real Madrid. He has become the second-fastest player to score 100 goals for the club, behind only Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I am very happy, and everyone knows that I love scoring goals and helping the team through them,” Mbappe said. “But I see it as just a detail, because the most important thing is the team’s victory and the confidence it gives us as a group.”

He added: “If we want to achieve our goals this year, we have to do it as a team and as a group. The quality is there, and anyone who says we do not have quality is a liar, but we all have to work together as a team to achieve what we want.”

The defeat ended Barcelona’s run of nine consecutive victories in the Spanish league. It was also their second defeat of the season and their second in a row, following a 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League a few days earlier.

Real Madrid had been waiting since the 2023/2024 season for a first victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou. Their previous win there came in October 2023, also by a 2-1 scoreline.

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