Barcelona have placed themselves in a commanding position at the top of the La Liga table courtesy of a 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in Sunday afternoon's El Clasico at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the opening 14 minutes, becoming Real Madrid's highest-ever goalscorer in a debut season in the process, but the response from Barcelona was absolutely extraordinary.
Indeed, Eric Garcia and Lamine Yamal registered to quickly make it 2-2, before Raphinha netted twice in the latter stages of the first period to hand Hansi Flick's side a 4-2 lead at the end of a quite staggering first half of action.
Mbappe completed his hat trick in the 70th minute, moving onto 39 Real Madrid goals in the process, but even the Frenchman's heroics were unable to secure the result that Los Blancos needed to realistically remain in the title race.
The result has left Barcelona seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid with only three games left, meaning that only a minor miracle will prevent the Catalan giants from being crowned champions for the 2024-25 campaign.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
ยฉ Imago
Real Madrid had to win.
Mbappe's early brace threatened to make it a famous result for the visitors, who would have moved to within a point of their bitter rivals in the table had they managed to claim all three points on Sunday afternoon.
However, Barcelona had other ideas, and it is perhaps not surprising that they turned it around considering the immense firepower at their disposal.
The home side were helped by some incredibly poor Real Madrid defending, but there was a job to do, and Yamal once again showed his class with a wonderful effort into the bottom corner, while Raphinha is having a historic season for the club.
Barcelona fell short in the Champions League, but unless something extraordinary happens in the final stages of the season, they are going to win a domestic double, while it should be three trophies in Flick's first season in charge, including the Spanish Super Cup.
As for Real Madrid, defensive injuries have crippled them of late, and it is set to be a fascinating summer for the capital giants, with departing Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso likely to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the helm.
Changes are needed at Bernabeu, but Barcelona are the side to beat in Spain at this moment in time, and the signs are incredibly bright for the Catalan giants due to the number of excellent youngsters in and around the first team.
BARCELONA VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Barcelona (5th min, Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid)
Just the start Real Madrid needed in ElClรกsico! โช
โ Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 11, 2025
Kylian Mbappรฉ scores from the spot for his 25th LALIGA goal of the season, tying Robert Lewandowski in the top scorer race ๐ฅ
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ฆ @sbk | 18+ | ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ pic.twitter.com/8M48k5fD0m
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the fifth minute of the contest, as Mbappe scores from the penalty spot after being brought to the ground by the onrushing Wojciech Szczesny, who had vacated the Barcelona goal.
Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Barcelona (14th min, Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid)
It's Kylian Mbappรฉ again! ๐ฑ
โ Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 11, 2025
This is a statement start from Real Madrid and their French superstar as he doubles their lead โช
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Real Madrid double their lead in the 14th minute of the match, as Mbappe races through on the Barcelona goal before carefully finding the back of the net; Barcelona's high defensive line has been undone once again here.
Eric Garcia goal vs. Barcelona (19th min, Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid)
We've got another ElClรกsico epic...and it's not even 20 minutes in yet! ๐
โ Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 11, 2025
Eric Garcia gets one back for Barcelona ๐ต๐ด
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Barcelona have one back in the 19th minute of the contest, and the goal comes from Eric Garcia, with the defender heading into the back of the net from close range from a corner; this is already another classic between the two Spanish giants.
Lamine Yamal goal vs. Real Madrid (32nd min, Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid)
LAMINE. YAMAL. ๐๐
โ Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 11, 2025
A signature finish curled inside the far post and from 2-0 down, Barcelona are back on level terms ๐ต๐ด
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Oh my word - it is 2-2, and Yamal is on the scoresheet; it is a wonderful effort from the 17-year-old, who curls one into the far corner of the net to spark jubilant scenes from the home supporters.
Raphinha goal vs. Real Madrid (45th min, Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid)
Listen to that roar! ๐คฏ
โ Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 11, 2025
Barcelona are in front! ๐ต๐ด
Raphinha makes it 3-2 and what an unbelievable half this has been! ๐ฎ
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Any time to breathe? No.
Barcelona have their third, and the comeback is complete, as Raphinha finds the back of the net after being released by Pedri; Real Madrid's defence are absolutely all over the place at the moment.
Raphinha goal vs. Real Madrid (45th min, Barcelona 4-2 Real Madrid)
It's 4-2 and it's not even half time! ๐ฑ๐ฑ
โ Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 11, 2025
Raphinha gets his second and extends Barcelona's lead in ElClรกsico ๐ต๐ด
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This is absolutely ridiculous; Barcelona have a fourth in the closing stages of the second period, and it is a second for Raphinha, who fires into the back of the net from close range following a clever pass from Ferran Torres.
Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Barcelona (70th min, Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid)
And that's a hat-trick for Kylian Mbappรฉ! ๐ฉ๐ช
โ Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) May 11, 2025
Real Madrid aren't out of this one yet โช
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Mbappe completes his hat trick in the 70th minute of the match, with the France international turning a pass from Vinicius into the back of the net from close range; Barcelona's high defensive line is undone once again.
MAN OF THE MATCH - KYLIAN MBAPPE
ยฉ Imago
Mbappe has broken the record for most goals in a debut season for Real Madrid, with the attacker now on 39 for Los Blancos, representing an excellent 2024-25 campaign from a personal point of view.
The forward was taken the record which had been held by Ivan Zamorano (37), and it was a wonderful performance from the Frenchman in El Clasico, but Los Blancos were still unable to secure the result that they needed on Sunday afternoon.
BARCELONA VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Barcelona 62%-38% Real Madrid
Shots: Barcelona 23-9 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Barcelona 9-5 Real Madrid
Corners: Barcelona 10-2 Real Madrid
Fouls: Barcelona 17-15 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
Kylian Mbappรฉ has now scored more goals in 2024/25 than any other Real Madrid player has in their debut season with the club.
โ Squawka (@Squawka) May 11, 2025
Ivan Zamorano's record of 37 from 1992/93 has finally been broken. ๐คฏ pic.twitter.com/JXjMRZmdS2
6 - Only in June 1943 (eight goals in Copa del Rey, 8-0 for Real Madrid) were more goals scored at the half time of Clรกsicos ever than today (six, as in February 1935 and January 1943, both also @LaLigaEN matches). Drunk. #ElClรกsico โค๐#BarcelonaRealMadrid๐ฉถ๐ pic.twitter.com/rgGjDFvLpA
โ OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 11, 2025
Kylian Mbappรฉ is the first player to score a La Liga hat-trick in #ElClรกsico since Luis Suรกrez in 2018.
โ WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 11, 2025
That's 39 goals for the season. ๐คฏ pic.twitter.com/AUXlvy7y4e
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign against Espanyol on Thursday night, while Real Madrid will be in action on Wednesday evening at home to Mallorca.
Real Madrid need to beat Mallorca to remain in the title race, but even if Los Blancos win, a victory for Barcelona against Mallorca would secure the championship with two games left to play.
Matt Law
