In what was a dramatic El Classico showdown on Saturday afternoon, Real Madrid mounted a stunning last-gasp comeback as they secured a 2-1 victory against Barcelona.
While Xavi’s side might have opened the scoring after just six minutes as former Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan notched his first La Liga strike, it was eventually Madrid’s latest icon that once again stole all of the headlines.
Returning from the half-time interval chasing a 1-0 deficit, Los Blancos were calling on the record-breaking Jude Bellingham to spearhead their charge in Catalonia.
With the England international bagging Carlo Ancelotti’s men level thanks to a stunning strike from distance, the former Birmingham starlet then wrote himself into El Classico history as Bellingham tapped home from close range in the dying seconds.
With Madrid finding a route back to the top of the La Liga table, Ancelotti’s side are yet to suffer a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign.
In what was another action-packed El Classico battle on Saturday afternoon, we have taken a glance at the main talking points.
Los Blancos move themselves back into pole position
Eventually finishing 10 points adrift of defending their La Liga crown last season and coming under a huge amount of domestic scrutiny, many were wondering if Real Madrid would show any signs of a hangover this time around.
While Los Blancos might have watched reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema complete a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia over the summer, Ancelotti’s side have come flying out of the traps and are enjoying a major purple patch.
Making it three Champions League victories on the bounce earlier in the week as they claimed a 2-1 victory away at Braga, the former AC Milan boss certainly finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high.
Riding what has been a stellar wave of momentum, Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 victory in Catalonia also saw them extend their stay at the top of the La Liga standings.
With their sights set on potentially mounting both a domestic and European charge this season, Los Blancos have also collected 28 points from just their first 11 top-flight appearances.
Bellingham cements himself as Madrid’s new icon
While Real Madrid might have left Catalonia with a famous victory on Saturday afternoon, it will certainly be Los Blancos’ latest icon that will rightfully steal most of the headlines.
With the Spanish icons breaking the bank over the summer as they welcomed Bellingham to Madrid in a £100million swoop, there is no doubt that the former Borussia Dortmund superstar has already cemented his spot as Ancelotti’s new poster boy.
Putting in another famous performance here and bagging what was a famous last-gasp winner, the England international has quickly blossomed into one of world football’s leading icons.
Almost breaking records by the week since arriving in the Spanish capital, Bellingham has now notched 13 goals in as many appearances both on the domestic and European stage.
Spearheading Ancelotti’s charge across all fronts and in the midst of what has been a history-making romp, Real Madrid know that the 20-year-old has a leading role to play if they are to recapture their La Liga title this season.
Barca suffer an infamous collapse in Catalonia
Getting their hands on a first La Liga crown since 2019 last season and receiving a string of plaudits from across Spain, Barcelona had made it clear that they had their sights firmly set on defending their domestic title this time around.
Picking up some perfect momentum earlier in the week as they extended on their Champions League romp thanks to a 2-1 victory at home against Shakhtar, Xavi’s side were certainly looking to make a heavyweight statement here.
However, although the reigning Spanish champions might have taken an early lead here as Gundogan opened his La Liga account in the sixth minute, fans around Catalonia will still be reeling from an infamous collapse on Saturday afternoon.
Suffering their first top-flight defeat of the season and really crashing back down to earth, Xavi will be making it clear that his squad must dust themselves down immediately.
Now more than aware that they face a real challenge in their bid to reclaim their La Liga crown this season, Barcelona will be next seen when they travel to a high-flying Real Sociedad in seven days time.
Match Report
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Christensen, Martinez, Balde, Gundogan, Gavi, Cancelo, Lopez. Torres, Felix
Subs: Lewandowski, Romeu, Yamal, Raphinha
Real Madrid: Kepa, Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy, Tchouameni, Valverde, Bellingham, Kroos, Vinicius, Rodrygo
Subs: Camavinga, Modric, Lucas, Joselu
Goals: Barcelona: Gundogan (6’) Real Madrid: Bellingham (68’, 90+2’)
Yellow Cards: Barcelona: Lopez, Torres Real Madrid: Carvajal
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano
