The Super Clasico lived up to its billing on Sunday night as Jude Bellingham inspired Real Madrid to a thrilling victory over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. The England midfielder was at the centre of everything, scoring and assisting in a 3-1 triumph that pushed Madrid five points clear at the top of La Liga.
Bellingham set the tone early with a sublime through ball that split Barcelona’s high defensive line, finding Kylian Mbappe, who coolly slotted home in the 22nd minute. It was the kind of incisive play that Madrid fans have come to expect from the 22-year-old, who has re-established himself as a decisive force after returning from shoulder surgery.
Barcelona briefly drew level through Fermin Lopez after a swift counterattack involving Marcus Rashford, but Madrid’s relentless pressure soon paid off. Eder Militao’s header across goal created chaos, and Bellingham was perfectly positioned to tap in from close range to restore Madrid’s lead before halftime.
The 9am News report observed that Real dominated possession and created more chances as Barcelona struggled to cope with their attacking pace. Mbappe saw a second goal ruled out for offside, while Vinicius Jr caused constant problems down the flank before being substituted in the 72nd minute — a decision that left the Brazilian visibly unhappy as he stormed down the tunnel.
A debatable VAR penalty awarded to Madrid early in the second half gave Mbappe a chance to extend the lead, but Wojciech Szczesny produced a brilliant one-handed save to keep Barcelona in the contest. Despite that, the Catalans rarely tested Thibaut Courtois, with Pedri’s late red card summing up a frustrating night for Hansi Flick’s side.
After failing to score or assist in his previous six games, Bellingham silenced doubters with a commanding display. His assist for Mbappe’s opener showcased his creativity and composure, while his goal reflected his instinct for finding space inside the box. Under new coach Xabi Alonso, his role has been simplified, allowing him to influence the game more directly than under former manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The England international’s performance was a reminder of his impact during Madrid’s 2023–24 campaign, where he became the heartbeat of their midfield. As he celebrated with his signature arms-out pose, the Bernabeu erupted a clear sign that Madrid’s confidence and identity are back.
For Barcelona, the story was one of missed opportunities and tactical flaws. Their high defensive line, a hallmark of Flick’s system, repeatedly left them exposed. Although it caught Madrid offside five times, poor coordination allowed Mbappe and Vinicius to exploit gaps with ease.
Injuries also played a major role, with Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Gavi all sidelined. The absence of Marc-André ter Stegen meant the team lacked composure in building from the back, while Christensen’s defensive stability was missed.
Despite Szczesny’s heroics, Barcelona were second-best for most of the encounter, and tempers flared after Pedri’s dismissal deep into stoppage time.
As the dust settles, Real Madrid look poised for another strong title challenge, while Barcelona face an uphill battle to close the gap especially with Madrid’s renewed energy under Alonso and Bellingham’s return to form.
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