Barcelona are on the brink of being crowned LaLiga champions after a dramatic 4-3 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in a pulsating El Clasico at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday. The fourth and final installment of this season’s iconic rivalry delivered seven goals, VAR controversies, a hat-trick, and relentless drama, ensuring fans were treated to a spectacle befitting the occasion.
The match exploded into life early, with Real Madrid storming to a 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes. Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty and then showcased his lethal finishing with a clinical strike on the counter-attack, silencing the Catalan crowd. However, Barcelona, undeterred, mounted a stunning comeback. Eric Garcia pulled one back, and the in-form Lamine Yamal leveled the score. Raphinha then took center stage, netting twice before halftime to flip a daunting deficit into a commanding 4-2 lead for the hosts.
The second half remained a rollercoaster. Mbappe completed his hat-trick with 20 minutes remaining, reigniting Madrid’s hopes and setting up a tense finale. Controversy struck in stoppage time when Fermin Lopez’s potential fifth goal for Barcelona was disallowed, keeping the scoreline tight. Despite the late pressure, Hansi Flick’s side held firm, securing a vital three points that leaves them with a seven-point advantage over Los Blancos with just three games remaining in the season.
For Real Madrid, the defeat marked a bitter end to Carlo Ancelotti’s final El Clasico as head coach, with the Italian unable to outmaneuver a rampant Barcelona side. The result all-but seals the LaLiga title for the Blaugrana, who now stand on the cusp of domestic glory following a performance brimming with resilience and attacking flair.
As the dust settles on another unforgettable chapter in El Clasico history, Barcelona’s victory underlines their dominance this season, while Madrid will regroup with their sights set on next year’s redemption.