In a pulsating encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 5-3 in a high-scoring El Clasico to move seven points clear at the top of La Liga 2024-25. The victory marks Barcelona’s fourth consecutive win over Real Madrid this season, further solidifying their dominance in one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
Match Highlights: A Rollercoaster of Goals
The game exploded into life early when Kylian Mbappé won and converted a penalty in the 3rd minute, giving Real Madrid the lead. The French superstar doubled his tally just 11 minutes later, capitalizing on a swift counterattack to make it 2-0.
However, Barcelona roared back with Eric García heading home from a corner in the 19th minute. The Catalans then turned the game on its head with two quickfire goals—Lamine Yamal curling in a beauty (32’) before Raphinha capitalized on a defensive error to put Barça ahead (34’).
Just before halftime, Raphinha struck again (45’) to extend Barcelona’s lead to 4-2, leaving Real Madrid shell-shocked.
Mbappé’s Hat-Trick Not Enough
Real Madrid refused to surrender, and Mbappé completed his hat-trick (70’) after a brilliant assist from Vinícius Jr., reigniting hopes of a comeback. But Fermín López (90+5’) sealed the win for Barcelona with a stunning strike, making it 5-3 and sending the home crowd into raptures.
Title Race Implications
With this victory, Barcelona now needs just four points from their remaining three games to secure the La Liga title. Real Madrid, meanwhile, faces an uphill battle to retain their crown, sitting seven points behind with little margin for error.
Key Moments & Controversies
- VAR drama: A potential handball by Tchouaméni was waved off after review (83’).
- Mbappé’s disallowed goal (90+2’) for offside.
- Barcelona’s special jersey: The Blaugrana sported Travis Scott’s ‘Cactus Jack’ logo as part of a unique sponsorship deal.
Post-Match Reactions
- Hansi Flick (Barcelona coach): “Incredible character from the team. We never stopped believing, even at 2-0 down.”
- Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid coach): “We made too many mistakes defensively. The title is difficult now, but we won’t give up.”
Final Score: Barcelona 5-3 Real Madrid
*(Goals: García 19’, Yamal 32’, Raphinha 34’, 45’, López 90+5’ | Mbappé 5’ (P), 14’, 70’)*
With the league title within touching distance, Barcelona’s focus now shifts to their next fixture, while Real Madrid must regroup quickly to keep their fading hopes alive.
Stay tuned for more updates on the La Liga title race!
