Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2–1 win over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, moving clear at the top of La Liga.
Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham found the net for the hosts, while Fermín López briefly drew Barcelona level in an intense El Clásico clash.
Mbappé opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark with a precise low strike from distance. Barcelona hit back in the 38th minute when Fermín pounced on a defensive lapse to make it 1–1. However, Bellingham restored Madrid’s lead moments later, tapping in from close range after sustained pressure.
The second half was filled with drama and key moments. Referee César Soto Grado awarded Real Madrid a penalty after an incident in the box, but Wojciech Szczesny denied Mbappé from the spot with a brilliant save to keep Barcelona in the game.
Madrid thought they had added a third through a Brahim–Bellingham combination, but the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR review.
Tensions escalated in stoppage time when Pedri received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Tchouameni, leaving Barcelona with 10 men.
In the final moments, Rodrygo’s curling free-kick was pushed away by Szczesny, preserving Madrid’s narrow advantage.
The victory ends Barcelona’s recent dominance at the Bernabéu and snaps Madrid’s four-match losing streak against their Catalan rivals.
