Real Madrid defeated FC Barcelona 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu in a high-octane El Clásico match that was filled with drama and intensity from the start.
Madrid struck first, with Kylian Mbappe scoring after a brilliant through ball from Jude Bellingham. Barcelona equalized thanks to Fermín López, who capitalized on a mistake by Arda Guler.
However, just before halftime, Bellingham put Madrid ahead again with a close-range finish after a headed pass from Militao.
The match was marked by end-to-end action, missed opportunities, and tactical adjustments, proving decisive for the La Liga title race as Real Madrid strengthened their position as league leaders.
Here are the Barcelona player ratings:
Wojciech Szczęsny (8/10)
Szczęsny was Barcelona’s rock, thwarting a penalty from Mbappé and making several key saves to keep the scoreline tight.
His sharp reflexes and command of the box gave Barça a fighting chance despite intense pressure.
Jules Koundé (7/10)
Defended bravely, especially against Vinicius Jr., with several crucial interventions and well-timed challenges to break up Madrid attacks.
Made one vital block late in the match but found it hard to deal with Madrid’s pace when Barcelona pushed up for an equalizer.
Pau Cubarsí (6/10)
Had a nervy performance overall — sometimes confident on the ball but was caught out by Real Madrid’s counter-attacks, especially with Bellingham’s positioning between the lines.
Managed some key tackles but lost his marker in at least one of Madrid’s goals and was under pressure throughout the contest.
Eric García (5/10) García struggled at center-back, conceding a penalty via handball after VAR intervention, which hurt Barça’s cause.
Though he aided some defensive traps, his positioning errors allowed Madrid to dictate possession.
Alejandro Balde (6.5/10)
Showed plenty of attacking intent with forward runs and provided key width for Barcelona, but sometimes struggled to track back in transitions, leaving space for Real Madrid’s right-sided attacks.
Had a few promising moments in possession, but couldn’t consistently influence the game defensively or going forward.
Pedri (7/10)
Pedri’s composure in midfield shone through with precise passing and a key role in setting up the equalizer.
Despite earning a yellow for halting a counter, he remained a vital cog in Barça’s brief moments of dominance.
Fermín López (7/10)
López redeemed an early defensive error by calmly finishing an equalizer after linking with Rashford.
His relentless pressing added dynamism, though occasional lapses exposed Barcelona’s forward line.
Ferrán Torres (6/10)
Torres produced a shot on target from the left wing, testing Courtois but failing to break through consistently.
His work rate was solid, yet a lack of creative spark limited his threat against Madrid’s backline.
Marcus Rashford (7/10)
Rashford’s vision crafted a precise assist for López’s goal, bolstering Barcelona’s attack with purpose.
His direct runs stretched Madrid’s defense, offering width despite Barça’s overall disjointed performance.
Lamine Yamal (6/10) Yamal’s pace on the right tested Madrid’s defense, but a controversial foul call sparked debate and disrupted his rhythm.
While he showed flashes of brilliance, his impact faded as Barcelona struggled to maintain control.
Want to get the latest Barcelona news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.
