Jude Bellingham’s decisive strike helped Real Madrid claim a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a tense El Clasico showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu, sending Los Blancos five points clear at the top of La Liga.
In his first Clasico as Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso guided his side to an impressive win, ending Barcelona’s recent dominance in the fixture. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring for Madrid with a composed finish after being set up by Bellingham. Though Mbappe later missed a penalty, his early goal gave the hosts the momentum they needed.
Barcelona, missing key players such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo, managed to draw level before halftime. Marcus Rashford, making his Clasico debut, delivered a precise cross that Fermin Lopez hammered into the net. However, Madrid’s response was swift. Five minutes later, Eder Militao nodded down a cross from Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham was in the right place to tap home his second goal in as many games at the Bernabeu.
Madrid dominated much of the match, creating several chances and forcing multiple saves from Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. The hosts’ relentless pressing and sharp transitions exposed Barca’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly with their makeshift lineup.
The second half brought more drama when Mbappe’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Szczesny after Eric Garcia was penalized for handball. Despite the miss, Madrid maintained control, denying Barcelona any real opportunity to equalize. Youngster Lamine Yamal, who had provoked Madrid fans earlier in the week with controversial comments, struggled to make an impact and saw most of his efforts go wide.
As tensions rose in the final moments, Barcelona’s frustration boiled over. Midfielder Pedri was sent off in stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card for a late challenge on Aurelien Tchouameni. The red card sparked a brief confrontation between players from both sides before the referee restored order.
The result leaves Real Madrid with nine wins from their first ten league games, asserting their dominance early in the campaign. For Alonso, the victory is a statement of intent and proof that his team can handle pressure in the biggest matches. Barcelona, on the other hand, face questions about depth and consistency as they look to recover from a challenging night in Madrid.
