Real Madrid snapped a four-game losing streak against Barcelona with a 2-1 triumph in Sunday’s first El Clásico of the season.
Goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham secured the Spanish league victory for Madrid, extending their lead over Barcelona to five points after 10 rounds.
Mbappé put the hosts ahead midway through the first half, converting a chance after VAR overturned an earlier penalty and goal in the opening 15 minutes at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
The French forward was assisted by Bellingham in the 22nd minute.
Barcelona responded through Fermín López in the 38th minute, only for Bellingham to restore Madrid’s advantage five minutes later with the decisive goal in the 43rd minute.
Mbappé had another opportunity to extend the lead but saw his penalty saved by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the 52nd minute.
Tensions flared late in the match after Barcelona’s Pedri was shown a red card just before full time, sparking a brief scuffle between bench players.
The confrontation spilled over post-match, with Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, who had been effectively contained by Madrid defenders, among those involved.
Madrid now boasts 12 wins in 13 matches this season, with their only defeat coming in a 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid in September.
For Barcelona, this marked the club’s third loss of the season across all competitions, following a 2-1 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and a 4-1 league loss to Sevilla.
