Jude Bellingham's dramatic second-half strike sealed a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid against Barcelona in Sunday's El Clasico, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to five points. The match marked new manager Xabi Alonso's first triumph over their historic rivals, ending Barcelona's four-game winning streak in this fixture.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for Madrid in the 15th minute before Barcelona's Fermín López equalized against the run of play. Bellingham restored the hosts' advantage just before halftime with a clinical finish, while Barcelona's frustrations culminated in Pedri's late red card for a second bookable offense.
"This victory proves our growth since the Atletico defeat," midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni told reporters post-match. "When we play with this intensity, we can overcome any challenge."
The result leaves Alonso's squad with nine wins from their first 10 league matches, demonstrating their strongest start in recent seasons. Barcelona's assistant coach Marcus Sorg – standing in for suspended manager Hansi Flick – remained defiant: "The title race remains open with 28 games left. We'll regroup and respond."
Sunday's clash highlighted Madrid's renewed tactical discipline under Alonso, particularly in neutralizing Barcelona's midfield creativity. The victory strengthens their position as title favorites while raising questions about Barcelona's ability to defend their crown.
