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26th of October – First El Clásico of the Season

This match was one of the most significant games of the La Liga season. The atmosphere was unlike any other league fixture, filled with excitement and tension. It was also Xabi Alonso’s first El Clásico as Real Madrid’s head coach, making the occasion even more special for him. On the other side, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was absent due to a suspension, leaving his team without their coach on the touchline. After last season, Real Madrid were determined to defeat Barcelona, aiming to prove their strength early in the campaign. Both teams started in a familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.

The long-awaited first El Clásico of the season kicked off with incredible intensity. Barcelona began strongly, earning a corner in the opening minute and showing their intent to dictate the match. Real Madrid, energized by their home crowd, responded confidently. A potential early penalty for Madrid went to VAR but was ultimately dismissed, frustrating the fans.

Madrid quickly launched several dangerous counterattacks, though they couldn’t convert. Barcelona focused much of their attacking play through Lamine Yamal, who consistently created opportunities down the right flank. Despite Madrid’s strong defensive organization, Barça maintained good composure and controlled possession in the attacking half.

Midway through the first half, Madrid thought they had found the breakthrough, but the goal was overturned after another VAR review. The home supporters were furious, yet the team stayed composed. Moments later, Kylian Mbappé finally opened the scoring with a clean finish—this time confirmed after a brief VAR check.

As the first half progressed, Madrid’s confidence grew. Playing at home gave them a psychological advantage as they pushed for a second goal. Barcelona, meanwhile, tightened up defensively to avoid further damage before the break.

In the closing minutes of the half, both sides created major chances. Barcelona threatened from a well-taken corner, while Madrid nearly struck again through Jude Bellingham, whose goal was ruled offside. Just before halftime, Fermín López equalized for Barcelona, rewarding their persistence. The teams went into the break level, with Real Madrid slightly ahead in momentum but Barcelona firmly still in the match.

The second half began with Barcelona pushing immediately, especially through Marcus Rashford’s runs. However, Real Madrid soon regained control. Bellingham came close to scoring again, but Szczęsny handled the shot comfortably. Minutes later, Madrid won a penalty. Mbappé stepped up but missed a golden opportunity to extend the lead.

Following the missed penalty, Barcelona dominated possession and pressed with urgency, trying to capitalize on Madrid’s frustration. They pushed forward at every chance, with Lamine Yamal taking on shots whenever he found space. Still, Alonso’s team remained disciplined and organized, giving Barcelona very few clear chances, even during dangerous set pieces. Courtois received strong support from his defenders as Barcelona intensified their attacks.

The first change of the match came from Real Madrid: Arda Güler was replaced by Brahim Díaz. Arda had struggled to make an impact, and Xabi Alonso aimed to bring fresh energy into the attack. Brahim immediately became involved and even assisted Bellingham for a goal that was later disallowed for offside.

After Madrid’s substitutions, Barcelona responded with changes of their own, as the physical intensity of the match left both teams exhausted. While the second half lacked the pace of the first, both sides continued searching for a decisive goal.

Late in the match, Pedri committed a foul that reignited the crowd’s energy. Many expected a second yellow, but the referee kept his card in his pocket. Real Madrid nearly scored from the resulting situation. Moments later, however, Pedri did receive a red card after another foul, sending the stadium into chaos.

Despite the rising tension in the final minutes, neither team found the net again. The whistle blew with Real Madrid securing a hard-fought 2–1 victory in a dramatic and emotionally charged El Clásico.