Mbappe scores twice as Real Madrid defeats Barcelona 2-1

Kylian Mbappe scored two goals on Sunday to help Real Madrid defeat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou. The win stopped Barcelona’s nine-game winning streak in the Spanish top flight and gave Real Madrid the all-time head-to-head lead in El Clasico matches.

Before the match, Barcelona were the favorites. They had not lost a league game this season. A victory would have broken the record for the best start in Spanish top-flight history, set by Real Madrid in the 1968-69 season. Instead, Real Madrid became the first team to beat Barcelona this season. It was also Barcelona’s second straight loss, following a recent defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Mbappe’s brace brought his season total to 14 goals. It also marked his 100th goal for Real Madrid across all competitions since joining the club from PSG in 2024. The French forward is currently the second-best scorer in La Liga this season. He is a contender for the Ballon d’Or, which will be awarded at a ceremony in London on Monday.

The result improves Real Madrid’s league position. The club is currently third in the standings with 24 points after ten matches. Barcelona leads with 27 points, while Atletico Madrid sits second with 25 points. Real Madrid has won its last five matches, including three in La Liga and two in the Champions League.

Jose Mourinho returned to the managerial seat at Real Madrid after two trophy-less seasons for the club. He had previously managed the team for three seasons, winning a record-breaking La Liga title among other honors. This win was his first match against Barcelona in 13 years. Mourinho described the victory as a necessary step to stop Barcelona’s dominance in the league.

“If we win today but lose at El Sardinero, it counts for nothing, because Madrid isn’t playing to win at the Camp Nou,” Mourinho said after the match. He added that Barcelona were playing to win the championship, not just the match.

The final score was 2-1. Real Madrid now leads the all-time record against Barcelona with 107 wins to 106. The match took place under the lights at Camp Nou before tens of thousands of Barcelona supporters.