Barcelona staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Real Madrid 4-3 in a pulsating Clasico at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, moving seven points clear at the top of La Liga with three games remaining.
Real Madrid surged to a 2-0 lead within 14 minutes, with Kylian Mbappe scoring twice—first from a penalty after being fouled by goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, then latching onto Vinicius Junior’s through ball. However, Barcelona roared back with four first-half goals. Eric Garcia headed in from a corner, 17-year-old Lamine Yamal curled in a stunning equalizer, and Raphinha struck twice—capitalizing on defensive errors to give Barca a 4-2 lead at the break.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute, bringing his season tally to 39 goals, a record for a Real Madrid debutant. The goal sparked a tense finish, with Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez having a late strike disallowed for handball after a VAR review. Real Madrid’s Victor Munoz and Mbappe also squandered chances to level the score.
Despite a draining Champions League semi-final loss to Inter Milan midweek, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick kept faith with an unchanged lineup. Their relentless pressing overwhelmed a Real Madrid side that has now conceded 16 goals across four Clasico defeats this season—a stark contrast to Barcelona’s resurgence.
The victory marked Barcelona’s fourth Clasico win this campaign, equalling their 1982-83 record, having already beaten Real Madrid in La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and Copa del Rey finals.
Barcelona can clinch the La Liga title with a win against Espanyol on Thursday or if Real Madrid drop points against Mallorca on Wednesday.