Real Madrid emerged victorious in a pulsating El Clásico, defeating Barcelona 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu to extend their lead at the top of the LaLiga table to five points.

Fresh off recovering from a bruising 5–2 defeat to city rivals Atlético Madrid, Los Blancos entered the clash on the back of four straight wins across all competitions — and their confidence showed early on. Within two minutes, referee César Soto Grado pointed to the spot after Lamine Yamal appeared to trip Vinícius Júnior, but a VAR review reversed the decision.

Real thought they had taken the lead shortly after when Kylian Mbappé’s stunning dipping volley found the net, only for the tightest of offside calls to chalk it off. The Frenchman wouldn’t be denied for long, though. After 22 minutes, Jude Bellingham’s deft footwork created space for a clever pass through to Mbappé, who coolly finished one-on-one for his 12th goal in nine career appearances against Barcelona.

Barcelona, who have now conceded the opening goal in five of their last ten league outings, hit back swiftly. Fermin López pounced on a misplaced pass from Arda Güler and fired home first-time to level the contest.

Parity, however, lasted just five minutes. A surging run from Vinícius Jr. ended with a teasing cross to the back post, where Éder Militão nodded the ball down for Bellingham to slot home and restore Real’s advantage.

The first half refused to settle, and before the break Mbappé had another strike ruled out for offside after a chaotic goalmouth scramble.

The intensity carried into the second half. Early on, Real were awarded a penalty when Eric García handled in the box, but Wojciech Szczęsny guessed correctly to deny Mbappé from the spot. Barcelona pushed forward in search of an equaliser, yet their high defensive line left them vulnerable — and once again, an offside flag spared them as Bellingham tapped in from Brahim Díaz’s cross.

As time wound down, Real controlled possession and managed the tempo. Barcelona’s best late chance went begging when Jules Koundé failed to control a lofted pass, and their frustrations deepened when Pedri received a second yellow card in stoppage time.

The result extends Real Madrid’s unbeaten league run to nine home games — their longest in over a decade — and marks just one defeat all season. For Xabi Alonso, it’s a milestone victory, making him only the second Real Madrid manager in the last eight appointments to avoid losing his first LaLiga Clásico.

Barcelona, meanwhile, remain stuck in second place, now five points adrift of their bitter rivals after a night of fine margins in Madrid.