Madrid Secure 2‑1 Victory at Camp Nou, Halving La Liga Gap to Leaders

Kylian Mbappé nets a brace as Real Madrid secures a 2‑1 triumph at Camp Nou, ending Barcelona’s perfect domestic run.

Published On 25 Oct 202625 Oct 2026

Kylian Mbappé scored twice to give Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid a 2‑1 El Clásico win over La Liga leaders Barcelona at Camp Nou, trimming the gap to three points.

The French forward opened the scoring before half‑time on Sunday and later slotted home a decisive goal, handing Barcelona their first domestic loss of the campaign after Raphinha had equalised for the champions.

Madrid stay in third place, behind Atlético Madrid and Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, who entered the match on the back of nine consecutive wins before a setback‑laden week.

Barcelona endured a second consecutive defeat, having lost to Paris Saint‑Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Catalans had won six of their last seven El Clásicos since the German coach took charge, but looked subdued against Mourinho’s side.

“Overall we didn’t have a great game; in the first half we weren’t ourselves, and there were many things we could have done better,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri told DAZN.

“We wanted to win the Clasico in front of our fans, but the season is very long … a league is not won here.”

Los Blancos, missing suspended winger Vinícius Júnior, secured their fifth consecutive victory across all competitions and are beginning to find their rhythm under veteran Portuguese manager Mourinho.

Following two trophy‑less seasons, Madrid returned to Mourinho in an effort to curb Barcelona’s dominance, and the win offers fresh hope that the turn‑around is underway.

The opening period of the match was cautious, with few chances created.

Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí twice denied Mbappé, while the club’s Marc Cucurella repeatedly lunged at Lamine Yamal’s shirt, harassing the 19‑year‑old winger.

Anthony Gordon, making his first appearance in an El Clásico since his move from Newcastle, back‑heeled the ball to Raphinha, whose effort drifted narrowly wide as Barcelona pressed.

The hosts were hit by a setback when young defender Xavi Espart went down injured and was replaced by Alejandro Balde before the half‑hour mark.

Andriy Lunin, starting in goal for Madrid after Thibaut Courtois withdrew with flu, made a save from Gordon at his near post before the visitors broke the deadlock.

Mbappé netted his tenth league goal of the season, capitalizing on an easy chance when Barcelona’s Gerard Martín cleared a cross straight into the French forward, who redirected it into the net.

Barcelona created a golden opportunity to equalize, but teenage sensation Yamal, rarely at fault, missed his chance, firing wide when ideally positioned to level.

The match opened up further, and Yan Diomande came close to doubling Madrid’s lead before half‑time, drilling the ball into the side‑netting.

Early in the second half, Martín redeemed himself by holding off Jude Bellingham, who could not either beat the defender or find an unmarked Mbappé.

Raphinha, who had a quiet first half, restored parity for Barcelona just after the hour mark.

Pedri supplied the Brazilian, La Liga’s top scorer with 13 goals, who slipped the ball through Bellingham’s legs and Lunin was unable to keep it out.

The Ukrainian goalkeeper produced a superb save to deny Martín from a corner, as Barcelona pushed forward with momentum finally shifting in their favour.

Yamal’s curling effort drifted wide with Lunin fully stretched, and substitute Frenkie de Jong saw his shot desperately blocked by Dean Huijsen.

Yet Barcelona’s hopes were dashed in the closing moments when substitute Gabriel Jesus lost possession, allowing Madrid to surge forward on goal.

Eduardo Camavinga dribbled past Cubarsí and unselfishly laid the ball back for Mbappé, who slotted home his second of the night into an empty net as Joan García had been drawn out of his goal.

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