Kylian Mbappé scored twice as a depleted Real Madrid overcame the absences of Vinícius Júnior and Thibaut Courtois to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clásico, the biggest fixture in world football.
Real Madrid arrived with major selection problems. Vinícius Júnior was suspended, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois withdrew on the morning of the match after going down with flu. Andriy Lunin deputised between the posts, Yan Diomande came into the side, and Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham spearheaded the attack, with Fede Valverde captaining the team on the night.
The opening exchanges were slower than is typical for a Clásico, and that measured start arguably worked in Madrid’s favour. Barcelona created the first decent chance of the game, but it was Mbappé who broke the deadlock after Diomande worked the ball into the box. The goal itself owed much to fortune — a clearance struck the Frenchman and flew into the net. Mbappé later struck the post from an offside position, and Diomande dragged a shot just wide as Madrid finished the first half on the front foot, taking a 1-0 lead into the break.
The second half began in similarly composed fashion for the visitors, but Barcelona drew level through Raphinha. Arda Güler attempted to hit back for Madrid, and Lunin produced a save that even the great Courtois would have struggled to emulate. Just as the hosts threatened to creep back into the contest, some brilliant work from Eduardo Camavinga carved Barcelona open and allowed Mbappé to race through and score his second late on. A slumped Barcelona side had no response, and Real Madrid held on to confirm a superb 2-1 victory.
With Mbappé delivering a decisive brace and Madrid winning despite missing two of their most important players, one tantalising question now looms over the result: has this been Real Madrid’s best performance of the season so far?
Original Source: https://www.managingmadrid.com/el-clasico/114628/immediate-reaction-barcelona-1-2-real-madrid
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Publish Date: 2026-10-26 03:31:00
