Kylian Mbappé did it again. With three minutes left at a stunned Camp Nou, he tapped in his second goal of the night to give Real Madrid a 2-1 win over Barcelona in El Clásico on Sunday. The result ended Barcelona’s perfect start to the La Liga season, trimmed their lead at the top to three points, and gave José Mourinho a memorable first Clásico since his return. Here is the full match report, with the goals, the turning points, the reactions and the table.
The Result at a Glance
- Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid (La Liga, matchday 10, Spotify Camp Nou, 25 October 2026)
- Goals: Mbappé 41′, Raphinha 61′, Mbappé 87′
Barcelona had won their first nine league games, so this was their first domestic defeat of the season. It was also their second loss in a week, after Tuesday’s 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, which we covered in our trending sports roundup.
First Half: Barcelona Dominate, Madrid Wait
Barcelona had most of the ball and most of the early pressure. Anthony Gordon tested Andriy Lunin from the left, and Lunin, who started in goal because Thibaut Courtois was out with flu, made a strong save to keep it level.
Madrid sat in a mid-to-low block and waited for turnovers. Their chance came in the 41st minute. Yan Diomandé, who started on the left in place of the suspended Vinícius Júnior, whipped in a low cross, Gerard Martín tried to clear it, and the ball hit Mbappé and deflected in, according to VAVEL. It was a fortunate goal, but it was also the kind of moment Madrid had been waiting for. Diomandé then hit the side netting just before the break, and Madrid went in with the lead.
Barcelona’s problems were mostly self-inflicted. The Yahoo Sports tactics analysis points out that their high defensive line and some loose passes from Pedri gave Madrid gaps to attack. Xavi Espart also went off injured before the half hour and was replaced by Alejandro Balde, which disrupted the back line.
Second Half: Raphinha Levels, Mbappé Wins It
Barcelona came out with more urgency. Lamine Yamal missed a clear chance to level, firing wide, as Al Jazeera reports, but the equaliser arrived in the 61st minute. Pedri found Raphinha, who fired through Jude Bellingham’s legs and beat Lunin low. That goal made it 13 for Raphinha in La Liga, the most in the league.
Madrid lost some of their shape when Federico Valverde went off with discomfort in his right leg and Denzel Dumfries replaced him, and Barcelona enjoyed their best spell. Lunin saved again, including a superb stop from a Martín corner, and Madrid held on.
Then came the decisive moment. Mourinho’s last change, Eduardo Camavinga, was the difference. Gabriel Jesus lost the ball, Camavinga won it, beat Pau Cubarsí and cut it back, and Mbappé tapped into an empty net after goalkeeper Joan García had been drawn out of position. ESPN has the goal in the 87th minute, while VAVEL puts it at 88′, so the exact minute differs slightly between sources. Mbappé’s two goals took his league total to 10.
Cards and Injuries
Aurélien Tchouaméni was booked in the 48th minute, Gordon in the 84th, and Dean Huijsen in stoppage time for protesting a foul. On injuries, Barcelona lost Espart early, Madrid lost Valverde in the second half, and Madrid played without Courtois and Vinícius, as our profile of how Vinícius is becoming the face of Real Madrid’s new era explained before the game.
How Mourinho Won the Tactical Battle
Barcelona had more possession and more shots, but Madrid were far more efficient. Cucurella shadowed Yamal, Valverde helped to contain Gordon, and Bellingham carried the ball out of defence again and again to start counters. The Yahoo Sports analysis argues that Mourinho outsmarted Hansi Flick by conceding the ball and punishing mistakes. The duel we flagged before the game, Mbappé against Barcelona’s high line, decided it.
Flick’s side had won six of their previous seven Clásicos, so this was a rare setback for them.
Three Talking Points
- Mbappé’s big-game habit. Two goals in a Clásico at Camp Nou, and a league tally of 10 already, show that Madrid’s attack still runs through him. One was lucky and one was clinical, and both counted.
- Barcelona’s high line. It gave them control for long spells, but it also left space for Madrid to exploit. Flick has said his team needs analysis and a quick response, and this is where it should start.
- An open title race. A three-point gap with Atlético Madrid in second makes this a three-team fight, and the early certainty around Barcelona has gone.
What They Said
Pedri admitted that Barcelona did not play well, especially in the first half, but said the league is not decided yet, according to Al Jazeera. Flick told reporters his side lacked freshness and called for a quick response after their first La Liga defeat in nine matches. Mourinho praised Madrid’s organisation and concentration and said his players stayed calm after Barcelona levelled. Mbappé called it a good message but said the season is far from over.
The La Liga Table After El Clásico
The standings after matchday 10, per ESPN:
- Barcelona: 27 points (9 wins, 1 loss)
- Atlético Madrid: 25 points
- Real Madrid: 24 points
Barcelona lead Atlético by two points and Madrid by three. Madrid have now won five straight games in all competitions, and the win came after two trophyless seasons for the club, which makes it a statement for Mourinho’s return. For a wider look at the stars who could benefit from a run like this, see our guide to the Ballon d’Or 2026 contenders, and our list of the top 10 greatest football matches in history shows where Clásicos like this one belong.
What Comes Next
Madrid travel to Racing Santander next week, according to Yahoo Sports. Barcelona will want to bounce back quickly, with more Champions League action to come. For newer fans, our guide to what the Champions League means explains the format. The return Clásico is scheduled for the weekend of 8 and 9 May 2027 at the Santiago Bernabéu, and LaLiga Expert notes that it could decide the title.
Quick FAQ
What was the El Clásico score?
Real Madrid won 2-1 at Camp Nou, with Mbappé scoring twice and Raphinha scoring for Barcelona.
Who scored in Barcelona vs Real Madrid?
Mbappé scored in the 41st and 87th minutes, and Raphinha equalised in the 61st.
Where are Barcelona and Real Madrid in the La Liga table?
Barcelona lead on 27 points, Atlético Madrid are second on 25, and Real Madrid are third on 24.
Why did Lunin start for Real Madrid?
Thibaut Courtois was out with flu, so Andriy Lunin played in goal.
This report is accurate as of Monday 26 October 2026, and match details may be updated by the league. Images are illustrative stock photos from Unsplash (photographers: Omar Ramadan, Vienna Reyes, Jannes Glas and Karsten Winegeart) and do not show the match.