Breathless Clasico: Bellingham Stars as Real Madrid Defeat Barcelona to Go Five Points Clear
Real Madrid overcame Barcelona in a “breathless and fiery Clasico” at the Bernabeu, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham delivering a goal and an assist for the first time in La Liga this season.
The victory sends Xabi Alonso’s side five points clear of their rivals at the top of the league.
Real Madrid started aggressively, having a penalty awarded and then overturned by VAR within the opening two minutes when the review determined Vinicius Jr had initiated contact with Lamine Yamal.
Ten minutes later, a stunning 25-yard volley by Kylian Mbappe was also ruled out for a marginal offside.
Bellingham finally broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, producing a defense-splitting through ball for Mbappe, who slotted past Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny.
However, Barcelona equalized in the 38th minute against the run of play following a counter-attack, with Marcus Rashford squaring the ball for Fermin Lopez to score.
Controversy flared up as Real Madrid regained the lead five minutes later. Barcelona players protested that defender Dean Huijsen fouled Pau Cubarsi during a goalmouth scramble, but Bellingham was left unmarked at the back post to tap in his side’s second goal in the 43rd minute.
The second half was dominated by close calls and controversy. VAR intervened again to award Real Madrid a debatable penalty after the ball inadvertently struck Eric Garcia’s hand during a challenge with Bellingham.
However, Szczesny produced a fine one-handed save to deny Mbappe from the spot in the 52nd minute.
Madrid were denied two further goals by offside calls: first, when Mbappe converted from an offside position, and again when Bellingham tapped in Brahim Diaz’s low cross with 20 minutes remaining. Barcelona struggled to test Real keeper Thibaut Courtois throughout the half.
The match ended in chaos and touchline clashes between the rivals after Barcelona’s Pedri was shown a second yellow card and sent off for a lunge on Aurelien Tchouameni deep into injury time.
The victory marked a sweet reversal for Real Madrid, who had lost all four Clasicos in all competitions the previous season.
