La Liga 2025-26: Mbappe, Bellingham on target as Real Madrid beat Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season

Jude Bellingham’s goal helped Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 to win the first El Clasico of the season and move five points clear of the bitter rival at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

Champions Barcelona won all four times the teams played against each other last season, but in his first Clásico as Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso scored a goal.

Kylian Mbappe, who later missed a penalty, fired Madrid ahead, and although Fermin Lopez equalized for the visitor at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bellingham scored a second for the hosts before half-time which proved decisive.

Barça playmaker Pedri was sent off for a second yellow card in the closing stages as tensions rose in the Spanish capital.

Madrid’s victory means they have won nine of their opening 10 league games, and Alonso’s side proved against Barcelona that they can triumph on the big occasion after the humiliating derby against Atletico Madrid in September.

AS IT HAPPENED: RMA VS BAR HIGHLIGHTS

Hansi Flick’s team was led on the sidelines by his assistant Marcus Sorg after the German coach was suspended following a red card last weekend as the country secured a victory over relegation-fighting Girona.

Barcelona were without a number of regular starters, including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo. Lamine Yamal still doesn’t seem completely fit after a groin injury, but he has started.

The teenager delighted Madrid fans this week by claiming Los Blancos were «stealing» and «complaining» and his name was greeted with a chorus of cheers when it was read out before kick-off.

Barcelona had more possession in the first half, but it was largely sterile possession and Madrid created the most dangerous chances.

The hosts were awarded an early penalty when Yamal appeared to bring down Vinicius Junior. However, it was canceled after a VAR review as it was the Brazilian who initiated the contact.

Madrid fans’ anger at the referees grew when Mbappe fired home from outside the penalty area, but the goal was disallowed for millimeter offside against the French superstar.

Mbappe didn’t have to wait long before he could celebrate in earnest after excellent work from Bellingham sent him through on goal.

The striker, the division’s top scorer, scored his 11th league goal of the season with a deadly low finish past Wojciech Szczesny.

The goalkeeper made a good save from Dean Huijsen, while Bellingham and Fede Valverde went close as Madrid took control.

Szczesny again stopped Vinicius and Bellingham’s efforts, and it was against the run of play when Barcelona equalised.

Arda Guler gave away possession in a dangerous area and Marcus Rashford, playing in his first Clasico, crossed for Lopez to level the visitors’ level in the 38th minute.

Bellingham struck Madrid’s second five minutes later to give Los Blancos a deserved lead at the break.

The England international, who scored his first goal at the Bernabeu since April against Juventus in midweek, cheerfully tapped home after Eder Militao had nodded Vinicius’ cross back into his path.

Mbappe penalty saved

Madrid should have increased their lead at the start of the second half, but Szczesny made a fine save to deflect Mbappe’s penalty after Eric Garcia was penalized for handball.

Yamal, frustrated and struggling to make an impact on the match, sent a long-range shot high over the crossbar as Madrid closed ranks and kept the Catalans a safe distance from their goal.

Madrid looked all the more threatening in the closing stages, despite Barca having to score and deploying Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz, with little in the way of Barca’s attacking reinforcements.

Sorg sent defender Ronald Araujo forward during nine minutes of stoppage time after scoring the winner against Girona as a makeshift striker, but the centre-back was unable to trouble Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Pedri was sent off for a second yellow card in the final seconds for a late foul on Aurelien Tchouameni, leading to a brief touchline pushing match as players from both sides rowed after the final whistle.

Published on October 26, 2025