Barcelona Reasserts Superiority Over Real Madrid and Nears La Liga Title
Barcelona came from behind after trailing 0–2 to once again assert their dominance over arch-rivals Real Madrid with a thrilling 4–3 victory in the headline clash of La Liga Matchday 35. The win brings Barça significantly closer to clinching the title currently held by the Madrid side.
Despite a stellar performance from Real’s French star Kylian Mbappé, who netted a hat-trick (5’ pen, 14’, 70’), it was the Catalans who prevailed through a brace from Brazilian winger Raphinha (34’, 45’) and goals by Eric García (19’) and Lamine Yamal (32’). The win puts Barcelona seven points clear of the capital club in the title race with only three matches remaining. A victory in the next round would secure the league crown for the Blaugrana.
Match Highlights
With this win, Barça made it four victories in four “Clásico” encounters this season. Yet the match began with Real Madrid showing early strength, as they were awarded a penalty just four minutes in following a through ball from Dani Ceballos to Mbappé. The Frenchman was brought down by Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who rushed out to intercept. Mbappé calmly converted from the spot (5’).
Real doubled their lead soon after, with Vinícius Júnior delivering a brilliant assist to Mbappé, who slotted the ball into the net with ease. Barcelona players protested a potential foul on Yamal during the buildup, but the goal stood (14’).
Barcelona responded to the disastrous start with composure, creating several chances. Yamal fired a stunning curler that was tipped away by Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois (18’), before García headed home a goal to cut the deficit, nodding in a corner that was flicked on by Ferran Torres (19’).
Barcelona maintained dominance in both possession and performance, and they found the equalizer through a magnificent curled strike from Yamal inside the area, once again set up by Torres (32’).
The thrilling contest continued when Barça capitalized on Real Madrid’s confusion following a collision between Mbappé and Dani Ceballos. Pedri seized the ball and swiftly fed Raphinha, who made no mistake in putting Barça ahead (34’). This came just minutes after Raphinha missed a golden opportunity from a sublime outside-foot cross by Yamal, heading over the bar from close range.
Moments later, the referee overturned a penalty call for Mbappé after replays showed Dutch captain Frenkie de Jong neither fouled nor touched the striker, and the Frenchman was marginally offside (45’). Barça then struck a crushing blow just before halftime, with Raphinha bagging his second. Torres capitalized on a major error by Lucas Vázquez, stole the ball, and laid it off to the Brazilian, who finished from point-blank range (45’).
Mbappé nearly completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute but fired just wide. He eventually got his third after a pinpoint assist from Vinícius, briefly reviving Real’s hopes (70’). However, Barcelona held firm and secured three crucial points in their quest to lift the La Liga trophy.
