La Liga: Real Madrid Defeat Barcelona To Move Five Points Clear

Real Madrid earned a 2-1 win over Barcelona in a 2025-26 El Clasico clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to go five points clear in the title race.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were enough to end Real Madrid’s four-match losing streak against their rivals.

Mbappe opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a close-range finish after a perfectly timed through ball from Bellingham. However, Barcelona capitalised on a mistake by Arda Guler to equalise in the 38th minute through Fermin Lopez.

Real regained the lead five minutes later when Bellingham tapped in from inside the six-yard box following an inspired run and cross by Vinicius Jr.

Real had several chances but were denied by an excellent display from Barca keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who kept out Mbappe’s penalty early in the second half.

Barcelona barely threatened Real keeper Thibaut Courtois after the break and finished the match with 10 men after midfielder Pedri earned a second yellow card for a sliding tackle from behind on Aurelien Tchouameni in added time.

Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso, was impressed with the team’s performance in the encounter.

He said: “We wanted to field the best-prepared team to compete in an important game. We countered the opponent well. We worked with a lot of conviction. The goal we conceded was our loss, and Koundé‘s was a half-chance, but we created a lot. The choice was for today, I saw the boys and the stadium enjoying themselves. There was a very good connection.

“It was important for the fans to see that their team could compete and win a big game. He enjoyed everything. This project is just beginning, but the connection is essential. And today I felt it.”

Real moved to 27 points at the top of the LaLiga standings, five ahead of Barcelona in second.

Real Madrid will return to action against Valencia on Saturday while Barcelona will hope to bounce back against Elche on Sunday.