By: Kwame Bediako
Real Madrid boost their position at the top of LaLiga to a five-point advantage following a tense 2-1 win over arch-rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
The match featured early controversy with a penalty initially awarded to Madrid following a foul on Vinicius Junior, which was later overturned after a VAR review.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after an offside call denied his first attempt.
He finished clinically after receiving a precise pass from Jude Bellingham, who was pivotal throughout the game.
Barcelona responded quickly in the 38th minute with Marcus Rashford setting up Fermin Lopez to equalize, reigniting hopes for the visitors.
However, Bellingham restored Madrid’s lead just before halftime. Vinicius’ skillful run down the wing resulted in a cross to Eder Militao, who nodded the ball across the goal for Bellingham to score from close range.
The second half saw Madrid dominate possession, but Mbappe missed a penalty, saved brilliantly by Wojciech Szczesny, keeping the scoreline close.
Tensions rose near the end as Barcelona’s Pedri received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge in stoppage time, tipping the numbers in Madrid’s favor.
Despite some offside calls against Madrid’s Brahim Diaz, they held firm to secure the victory and maintain their lead atop the league table.
Mbappe’s stellar performance cemented his status as one of the few to score in four consecutive El Clasico matches in the 21st century, joining legends Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo.
This win marked a strong start for coach Xabi Alonso, reversing last season’s results where Madrid lost all four fixtures against Barcelona.
