Nine games, nine wins, and a six-point cushion. Barcelona walked into Sunday’s El Clasico looking untouchable. They walked off it beaten, and the man who did the damage was, once again, Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in La Liga. Mbappe scored both Madrid goals, one just before half-time and the winner three minutes from the end of normal time. Raphinha had pulled Barcelona level in the second half. The result is Barcelona’s first league defeat of the season and cuts their lead over Madrid from six points to three.
Quick Facts
- Result: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
- Goals: Mbappe 41′, Raphinha 61′, Mbappe 87′
- When: Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona (La Liga)
- Coaches: Hansi Flick (Barcelona), Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid)
- Key number: Barcelona’s lead over Madrid is now 3 points, down from 6
How Mbappe’s Brace Won El Clasico
The opener was not one for the highlight reels. In the 41st minute, Barcelona defender Gerard Martin tried to clear a cross, the ball smacked straight into Mbappe and flew past goalkeeper Joan Garcia. Al Jazeera called it probably the easiest goal of his career. Strikers will tell you they all count the same.
Barcelona came back strongly after the break. Just past the hour, Pedri slipped a clever pass through to Raphinha, whose shot squeezed between Jude Bellingham’s legs and beat Andriy Lunin, who got a hand to it but could not keep it out. At 1-1, with the home crowd behind them, Barcelona looked the likelier winners for a spell. Lamine Yamal had a chance to put them ahead but fired wide.
Then came the sting. With three minutes of normal time left, Eduardo Camavinga got past Pau Cubarsi down the side and cut the ball back. Joan Garcia had been pulled out of position, and Mbappe was left with an empty net. He did not miss.
According to Al Jazeera, the two goals take Mbappe to 10 in the league this season.
Madrid Win Without Courtois and Vinicius
What makes this win sharper for Madrid is who was missing. First-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois pulled out with flu, so Andriy Lunin started in goal. Vinicius Junior was suspended. Mourinho still found a way, and Madrid have now won five games in a row across all competitions, Al Jazeera reported.
Lunin also had a part to play late on, with a quick reaction save from a close-range header to protect the lead, Blueprint reported. Young forward Yan Diomande was lively too and hit the side netting before half-time. At the other end, Dean Huijsen blocked a shot from Frenkie de Jong.
Barcelona had their own problem early on. Defender Xavi Espart pulled up injured before the 30-minute mark and was replaced by Alejandro Balde. The club has not yet said how serious the injury is.
What the Result Means for the La Liga Table
Barcelona are still top. But a perfect run of nine league wins is gone, and the gap to Madrid has been cut in half to three points. Al Jazeera reported that Madrid stay third, behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, so the top of the table now looks a lot more crowded than it did on Saturday.
The timing is awkward for Flick. This was Barcelona’s second defeat in a row after they lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday. Two losses in a week is not a crisis in October, but it does end the talk of an unbeatable side.
Raphinha, at least, keeps his place at the top of the scoring charts. His equaliser was his 13th league goal of the season, according to Al Jazeera.
Pedri: “We Weren’t Ourselves”
Barcelona midfielder Pedri admitted the team were flat in the first half, saying “we weren’t ourselves.” He also pointed out that the title race is long, telling reporters that “a league is not won here.”
He has a point. There are plenty of rounds still to play, and Barcelona remain in front. But Clasicos tend to shape the mood of a season, and Madrid fans will feel the momentum has swung their way.
Why Indian Football Fans Care
El Clasico is one of the most followed club games in the world, and India has a huge Barcelona and Real Madrid fan base. For many fans here, this rivalry is as much about friendly office banter on Monday morning as about the football itself. And with Mbappe, Yamal, Pedri and Bellingham all on the same pitch, it is the kind of match that turns casual viewers into regulars.
What We Don’t Know Yet
- How long Xavi Espart will be out with the injury he picked up in the first half.
- Whether Courtois will be fit for Madrid’s next game after his bout of flu.
- What Flick and Mourinho said in their full post-match press conferences, beyond early reports.
Our Take
Barcelona probably played the better football for long stretches, and still lost. That is the Mbappe effect in one match: a lucky deflection and one clean chance were enough. Madrid did it without their first-choice keeper and without Vinicius, which says a lot about the squad Mourinho has. Barcelona are still favourites on current form, but this title race just got interesting again.
FAQs
Who won El Clasico on October 25, 2026?
Real Madrid won 2-1 against Barcelona at Camp Nou. Kylian Mbappe scored both Madrid goals and Raphinha scored for Barcelona.
When did Mbappe score in El Clasico?
Mbappe scored in the 41st minute, when a clearance bounced off him into the net, and in the 87th minute from a Camavinga cutback.
Is Barcelona still top of La Liga?
Yes. Barcelona remain top, but their lead over Real Madrid has shrunk from six points to three after their first league defeat of the season.
Why did Courtois not play in El Clasico?
Thibaut Courtois withdrew with flu, so Andriy Lunin started in goal for Real Madrid. Vinicius Junior also missed the game through suspension.
You can follow the latest standings on the official LaLiga table and read the full match report from Al Jazeera.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera, Blueprint and Tempo.
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