La Liga
Four-Midable Barcelona Robs Real Madrid At Bernabeu
Barcelona delivered a stunning 4-0 victory over Real Madrid, capitalizing on Robert Lewandowski’s impressive brace at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The result marked the end of Madrid’s remarkable 42-match unbeaten streak in La Liga and also served as a powerful statement in the first El Clásico of the season.
With this victory, Barça moved six points clear at the top of the league, solidifying their status as title contenders.
A Game of Subplots
The stage was set for a high-octane clash, not least because it featured Kylian Mbappé and Hansi Flick at the forefront of this historic rivalry. Both men were eager to make their mark; for Mbappé, this was an opportunity to shine on one of the grandest stages in world football, while Flick aimed to show his tactics against the hot rivals from the Spanish capital.
From the opening whistle, the match was charged with intensity.
Barcelona’s defense and midfield were tested immediately, with Mbappé’s early attempts causing anxiety for the Catalan backline. An early shot that skimmed the side netting indicated his intent, while a close-range effort set up for Jude Bellingham was heroically saved by Barça goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.
On the other side, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal showed his talent, only to be stopped in a one-on-one situation by Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.
Vinícius Júnior, a major threat throughout the first half, had his chance to give Madrid the lead but failed to find the target after a dazzling run into the box
Tactical Chess Match
Madrid had their moments but were consistently met with a resilient Barcelona, who had also begun to assert their presence in the match. Just past the half-hour mark, there was a moment of joy for Los Blancos as Mbappé found the net with a brilliantly executed dink over Peña.
However, the celebration was short-lived as the goal was rightly ruled offside, a testament to Flick’s disciplined defensive line.
As the first half unfolded, both teams continued to exchange dangerous chances. But it would be Barcelona who would strike first shortly after the restart.
Lewandowski’s Moment of Magic
In the 54th minute, Robert Lewandowski found the back of the net. A perfectly timed run allowed him to latch onto a beautiful ball from Marc Casadó, and with a composed right-footed strike, he dispatched the ball past Lunin.
The Bernabéu was silenced.
Just two minutes later, Lewandowski stunned the crowd again, this time rising majestically to meet Alejandro Balde’s exquisite cross with a powerful header that left the Madrid defense reeling.
Suddenly, the scoreline read 2-0, and Barcelona was in firm control of the match.
The Polish forward wasn’t done yet, though, as he rushed to secure a hat-trick. Despite hitting the post once and then firing another chance over the bar, Lewandowski’s relentless pursuit of goals kept the pressure on Madrid.
Barcelona’s Young Stars Shine
As Madrid struggled to regroup, it was young Lamine Yamal who delivered the decisive blow in the 77th minute. After a rapid counterattack, the 17-year-old finished off a slick move with a fierce angled shot from Raphinha’s assist, making it 3-0.
By this point, it was clear that an upset was on the cards.
To add insult to injury, Raphinha himself found the net just seven minutes later, looping a delightful dink over Lunin to seal a humiliating night for the hosts. The Brazilian’s goal put the finishing touches on a masterclass performance, demonstrating Barcelona’s attacking potency.
The Aftermath
Carlo Ancelotti, typically reserved in his attitude, appeared visibly frustrated as his side crumbled under pressure, succumbing to their first home defeat since April 2023.
For Barcelona, this victory is a much-needed boost, ending a disheartening run of four consecutive defeats against their arch-rivals.
The Catalans are also now enjoying a remarkable 14 wins in their last 15 league games, demonstrating their newfound resilience under Flick’s management.
