Barcelona produced one of their most exhilarating performances of the season to defeat arch-rivals Real Madrid 4-3 in a seven-goal spectacle that electrified Montjuïc.
Despite Kylian Mbappé’s clinical hat-trick, the Catalan giants delivered a fearless comeback that not only extended their unbeaten run against Los Blancos to four matches but also effectively secured the La Liga title under Hansi Flick. In a game that swung wildly, Barcelona showed once more why they have dominated Spain’s footballing landscape this season.
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Early Chaos: Mbappé Strikes Twice in 15 Minutes
The match exploded into life almost instantly. Barely three minutes had ticked by when Pau Cubarsí’s miscalculated back pass exposed goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to Mbappé’s pace. The French superstar pounced, drew a rash foul, and calmly converted the penalty. That first blow rattled Barcelona.
Just ten minutes later, Vinícius Júnior sliced through the right channel and picked out Mbappé with the outside of his boot. The Frenchman rifled home his second to double Madrid’s advantage. For a moment, it seemed like Carlo Ancelotti’s men were poised to turn the title race upside down.
Grit Over Glamour as Barcelona Hit Back
Rather than fold, Barcelona ignited. They intensified the press, controlling possession and constantly invading Madrid’s flanks. Thibaut Courtois denied early efforts from Eric García and Gerard Martin, but the pressure mounted.
On the seventh corner of the half, García finally made one count, nodding in from close range to make it 2-1. That goal opened the floodgates. Barcelona surged forward relentlessly, tearing apart Madrid’s brittle midfield. Pedri and Ferran Torres combined fluently before setting up Lamine Yamal, who curled a beautiful equaliser into the far corner.
Raphinha Takes Over as Barcelona Run Riot
With the scoreline level, Barcelona smelled blood. Moments later, Pedri recovered the ball after a clumsy collision between Mbappé and Dani Ceballos, then threaded a delightful ball to Raphinha, who rounded Courtois to slot in Barcelona’s third.
Madrid reeled as Barcelona continued to dance around their disjointed lines. Raphinha then stole possession from Lucas Vázquez near the area, exchanged slick passes with Ferran, and netted again. In just half an hour, Barcelona had turned a two-goal deficit into a 4-2 lead. The Montjuïc crowd roared with “olés,” soaking in the fiesta.
Second-Half Resistance and Final Twists
Though a fifth goal from Lamine Yamal was ruled out for offside shortly after the break, Barcelona maintained their control. Pedri dazzled with each touch, effortlessly navigating the pitch while Madrid desperately introduced Luka Modric and Brahim Díaz to salvage something.
With 20 minutes remaining, Modric launched Vinícius into space, and the Brazilian picked out Mbappé for his third. At 4-3, the scoreline hinted at a late twist, but the reality was far from it. Barcelona kept their foot on the pedal, continuously carving out chances and enjoying every moment. A late effort from Fermín López found the net but was chalked off. Still, four proved enough.
Psychological Edge and Tactical Authority
More than technical superiority, Barcelona’s psychological resilience stood out. “Only that’s when this Barcelona team gets up again, and does it all over,” rang true once more. Even trailing by two, they never lost belief. Flick’s strategy of unrelenting pressure and exploiting Madrid’s flanks worked wonders.
Madrid, by contrast, looked mentally fragile. Their midfield was nonexistent, and their defensive structure disintegrated with every wave of attack. As Barcelona sprinted forward, Madrid simply looked to survive.
Dominance Redefined: Barcelona’s Perfect Record Against Madrid
Barcelona’s clean sweep against Real Madrid this season speaks volumes. They’ve now scored 16 goals across four Clásicos—securing victories in La Liga, Super Cup, and Copa del Rey. Each triumph told a story of hunger, belief, and cohesion.
This latest chapter, a seven-goal blockbuster, not only placed Barcelona seven points clear with just three games left but also encapsulated their campaign: relentless, entertaining, and triumphant.
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FAQs
Who scored for Barcelona in the 4-3 win against Real Madrid?
Eric García, Lamine Yamal, and Raphinha (twice) found the net for Barcelona in the thrilling clásico victory.
Did Kylian Mbappé score a hat-trick against Barcelona?
Yes, Kylian Mbappé scored all three goals for Real Madrid, but still ended up on the losing side.
How many times has Barcelona beaten Real Madrid this season?
Barcelona have defeated Real Madrid four times this season, including league, Super Cup, and Copa del Rey fixtures.
How did Barcelona react after conceding two early goals?
Barcelona responded with dominant attacking football, scoring four times and taking full control of the game.
What does this win mean for Barcelona’s La Liga title hopes?
This win puts Barcelona seven points clear with only nine points left to play, bringing them within touching distance of the La Liga title.
