Real Madrid came back from behind twice to beat Barcelona 3-2 on Sunday, giving them an 11-point gap atop the table as they inch closer to their first La Liga title in two years. Barcelona entered the match as the underdogs but took an early lead when Andreas Christensen scored just six minutes in off a corner. Real Madrid found their equalizer just 12 minutes later when 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi fouled Lucas Vazquez in the box and conceded a penalty, which Vinicius Junior converted. Barcelona also seemed like they had scored again in the 28th minute when teen sensation Lamine Yamal took a shot, but VAR ruled that Andriy Lunin made the save before the ball fully crossed the line.
The visitors went ahead again in the 69th minute when Lunin's clearance only sent the ball to Fermin Lopez, who scored from close range. That lead was short-lived as three minutes later, Real Madrid made something out of nothing and Vazquez scored the equalizer. Jude Bellingham was the hero in stoppage time with his latest goal for Real Madrid, scoring the game-winner much like he did when the two sides squared off in October.
As if the loss was not enough, Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong left the game on a stretcher shortly before halftime. He appears to have injured his right ankle, per ESPN, but there's little information about the severity of the issue and his timeline of recovery.
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90'+1 Just like he did in October, Bellingham scores late in the Clasico and likely secures all three points for Real Madrid. Some solid build up play means Real Madrid have a few options in front of goal and so when Joselu does not succeed, Bellingham is well-positioned to finish the chance off from an angle. Real Madrid, for the first time all day, have the lead.
A thrilling Clasico ends with Real Madrid on top courtesy of Bellingham, who continues to do impressive things in his first season with Los Blancos. Real Madrid now have an 11 point lead atop La Liga with six games to go, and seem very much on their way to winning the title for the first time in two years.
87' The hosts earn a freekick and have bodies in the box, with Bellingham and Joselu within reach. Bellingham eventually sends the ball wide of the goal but the referee lets everyone know that Militao was offside on the play anyway.
72' A few short minutes later, the teams are back on even terms! Real Madrid are patient in attack, giving Barcelona time to cover any defensive gaps while no opposition players are in their box. Barcelona are caught sleeping, though, and Real Madrid quickly snap into action, with Vazquez making a run on the right side to eventually score to make it 2-2.
69' Torres sends a lovely long ball from one side of the pitch to the other, with Yamal on the receiving end. He then sends the ball towards goal, which Lunin deals with by punching it out but the ball falls to Lopez, who scores from close range to give Barcelona a 2-1 lead.
62' Araujo plays a nice long ball to Lewandowski, who tries to chip the goalkeeper but cannot get a quality shot off since he's off balance. It's one of his final involvements of the game, since Xavi takes him off for Torres shortly after. It's unclear if this is fitness related or not, but Lewandowski was not particularly active during this game - he had a little more than 20 touches and two shots during his shift.
55' A little build up play inside Madrid's half results in Bellingham being able to play the ball over the top. Vinicius Junior is making the run and is able to get the shot off, but can't find the target. Even then, though, it was a moment that demonstrated just what Madrid can cook up -- and especially what Vinicius Junior has to offer.
Lopez comes on for Christensen, giving Barcelona more of an attacking look for the second half. The visitors are now down to three subs after also taking off De Jong in the first half, which could make things tricky in this last 45.
Barcelona may have come in as the underdogs but after 45 minutes, it's clear they can compete with the league leaders. The two sides are fairly even across a handful of statistical categories at halftime, which could set up for an entertaining second half.
45'+7 Valverde makes a tackle in an attempt to clear the ball and gets De Jong pretty hard. The Barcelona player received treatment for several minutes and at one point is standing up, but in the end he is taken off on a stretcher and Pedri comes on in his place. De Jong injured his right ankle, per the broadcast.
45'+2 Vincius Junior and Rodrygo seem set to give Real Madrid the lead before halftime but neither one can get the shot off.
34' Barcelona are clawing their way back into this match thanks in large part to Lamal, who is outpacing Real Madrid players every time he has the ball. The latest is Camavinga, who makes a tackle on the edge of the penalty area and picks up a yellow in the process. Raphinha takes the subsequent freekick but the ball sails over the net.
28' A handful of Barcelona players are in the box and Lamal gets the last touch on a ball that hovers around the goal line. There's no goal line technology in La Liga, though, so VAR is asked to check: Did the ball cross the line or did Lunin make a stop in the nick of time? After a few minutes, the VAR rules that the ball did not fully cross the line and the game resumes.
17' And just like that, Real Madrid have a chance to go level. Cubarsi lays his leg out to trip Vazquez and the referee quickly points to the spot, and from there Vinicius Junior converts the penalty to level the scoreline. This marks Vinicius Junior's seventh goal in El Clasico.
13' They might be down but Real Madrid are the ones dictating play here and get close to an equalizer when Vinicius Junior nearly finds the equalizer. Cubarsi does well to sniff out the chance and almost immediately, Barcelona nearly score on a chance of their own.
6' Christensen jumps high on a corner and scores off a header, a week and a half after doing the same in the first leg of their tie against PSG. Lunin was in the wrong spot completely as Real Madrid's defensive struggles corners continue, giving Barcelona an early 1-0 lead.
The latest edition of El Clasico is officially underway as both sides have a point to prove in the business end of the season.
This match is being viewed as the last chance for Barcelona to put together a statement win in a season that has not gone according to plan, and if you squint, there's an opportunity in front of them. It would not just be bragging rights over a rival, either -- as Jimmy Conrad notes on Morning Footy, Barcelona could re-enter the title race with a win today.
El Clasico is always one of the most anticipated games on the European club soccer calendar because of the levels of competitiveness between both teams, but the tide might be changing. Real Madrid come into this game with an eight point lead atop the table but with a much brighter future ahead of them, as Chuck Booth lays out.
Both Ancelotti and Xavi have naturally opted to start strong teams showcasing their star power. Real Madrid will run with Bellingham, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior -- just like they did at City on Wednesday -- while Lewandowski leads Barcelona's front line. Here's a look at both teams' lineups.
Real Madrid starting XI: Lunin, Vazquez, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Kroos, Valverde, Modric, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior
Barcelona starting XI: ter Stegen, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo, de Jong, Christensen, Gundogan, Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Another edition of El Clasico is on tap today, featuring two teams in contrasting form. Everything's coming up Real Madrid these days as they inch closer to La Liga victory and potentially another Champions League title, while Barcelona have to find a way to close out their season on a high as Xavi faces the likelihood of ending his tenure with a trophyless campaign.
Stick around for live updates building up to the match including team news, and then the latest once the game begins.
