Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday, October 25, 2026, as Kylian Mbappe scored twice to hand the LaLiga leaders their first league defeat of the season and reignite the title race.
Mbappe struck in the 41st minute before Barcelona captain Raphinha levelled the contest in the 61st minute. The French forward then scored the decisive goal in the 88th minute to secure three crucial points for Jose Mourinho’s side in the first El Clasico of the 2026/27 campaign.
The victory leaves Barcelona at the top of the standings with 27 points from 10 matches, while Real Madrid sit third on 24 points, behind Atletico Madrid on 25. The result cuts Barcelona’s advantage over their fiercest rivals to three points.
Real Madrid became the first team to defeat Barcelona in LaLiga this season, ending the hosts’ run of nine consecutive league victories and dealing a blow to their hopes of making history with a 10th straight win.
Madrid took the lead in the 41st minute through a goal that involved a significant element of fortune. Yan Diomande delivered a cross into the Barcelona penalty area, where defender Gerard Martin attempted to clear the ball. His clearance struck Mbappe and ricocheted into the net, giving the Frenchman a goal without a clean finish.
Barcelona nearly responded immediately, but Lamine Yamal missed a close-range opportunity before the interval. Madrid also threatened to extend their advantage, with Diomande firing into the side-netting.
The hosts returned with greater attacking intent after the break and found their equaliser through Raphinha in the 61st minute. Pedri picked out the Brazilian inside the penalty area and he finished through Jude Bellingham’s legs to bring Barcelona level.
Barcelona subsequently pressed for a second goal, with Andriy Lunin making important saves as the hosts increased their attacking pressure. However, Madrid remained dangerous on the counterattack and punished Barcelona late in the match.
The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Jude Bellingham produced a clever turn before the move progressed through Arda Guler to Eduardo Camavinga. The French midfielder advanced into the penalty area and squared the ball for Mbappe, who finished into an unguarded net to restore Real Madrid’s lead.
The goal completed Mbappe’s brace and brought him to 100 goals for Real Madrid. His second strike proved more decisive than his fortunate opener, rewarding Madrid’s ability to exploit space and capitalise on Barcelona’s late defensive lapse.
The contest also produced six yellow cards as tensions rose in the closing stages. Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni was booked just after the interval, while Dean Huijsen and Mbappe received late cautions. Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon, Alejandro Balde and Karim Adeyemi were also shown yellow cards.
Despite Barcelona enjoying 62 per cent possession, according to match statistics, Madrid made their opportunities count and left Camp Nou with all three points.
For Barcelona, the defeat ends their perfect start to the league campaign and leaves them with little room for error as the season progresses. Their second-half response showed their attacking threat but missed chances and a late defensive mistake proved costly.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, will take confidence from a victory that brings them within three points of the leaders. With Atletico Madrid also in contention, the result sets up a closely contested battle for the LaLiga title as the season continues.
