Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over arch-rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for Madrid in the 28th minute with a precise low drive from outside the box, but Fermín López drew Barcelona level midway through the first half.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham restored the hosts’ advantage two minutes before halftime, finishing smartly from close range to seal the win.
Barcelona pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Madrid held firm to claim all three points and tighten their grip on the league summit.
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Barcelona responded when Fermín capitalised on a defensive error to make it 1–1 in the 38th minute, but Bellingham restored Madrid’s advantage moments before half-time with a simple tap-in from close range after sustained pressure.
The second half produced more controversy and big moments.
Referee César Soto Grado awarded Madrid a penalty just after the hour mark for an incident in the box, but Wojciech Szczesny produced a superb save to deny Mbappé from the spot and keep Barcelona in the contest.
Later, Madrid thought they had scored from a Brahim–Bellingham combination, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR check.
The game boiled over in stoppage time when Barcelona’s Pedri received a second yellow card for an overrun challenge on Tchouameni and was sent off, leaving Barcelona to finish the match with 10 men.
In the dying moments, Madrid’s Rodrygo whipped a free-kick at goal, but Szczesny was equal to it, preserving Madrid’s slender lead.
The result ends Barcelona’s stubborn resistance at the Bernabéu. For Madrid, the win halts a four-game losing streak against their Catalan rivals.
