Kylian Mbappe Strikes Late as Real Madrid Beat Barcelona in Dramatic El Clasico

Kylian Mbappe delivered another huge El Clasico performance, scoring twice as Real Madrid claimed a dramatic victory over Barcelona with an 87th-minute winner at Camp Nou.

With the contest seemingly heading towards a draw, Mbappe appeared at exactly the right moment to finish a rapid Real Madrid attack and settle one of the biggest fixtures in world football.

His late goal completed a memorable individual display and prevented Barcelona from making Spanish top-flight history.

Hansi Flick's side entered the match chasing a 10th consecutive league victory to start the season, which would have broken the record of nine established by Real Madrid in 1968/69.

Instead, Real Madrid spoiled the occasion and collected three important points from their greatest rivals.

Mbappe Opens the Scoring Before Half-Time

Both sides created opportunities during an entertaining opening period, although neither could initially find the breakthrough.

That changed four minutes before half-time.

Yan Diomande sent a dangerous low delivery into the Barcelona penalty area, where Gerard Martin attempted to clear the ball.

His intervention instead sent the ball towards Mbappe, with the deflection going in off the French striker and beyond Joan Garcia.

It was hardly Mbappe's most spectacular El Clasico goal, but it gave Real Madrid the advantage at a crucial moment.

The match immediately became more open.

Mbappe nearly doubled Real's lead when he struck the post, while Barcelona responded at the opposite end through Lamine Yamal.

The teenage winger found himself in a promising position but sent his close-range effort wide.

Real therefore entered the break holding a narrow lead.

Raphinha Brings Barcelona Back Into El Clasico

Barcelona increased the pressure after the restart and eventually found their equaliser 16 minutes into the second half.

Pedri supplied the pass to captain Raphinha, who drove his shot through the legs of Jude Bellingham and into the far corner.

The goal brought Camp Nou back to life and suddenly Barcelona appeared capable of completing the comeback.

Gerard Martin then came extremely close to making amends for his involvement in Real Madrid's opening goal.

His header looked destined for the net, but Andriy Lunin produced a superb one-handed save to keep the score level.

It proved to be one of the defining moments of the match.

Lunin was making his first club appearance of the season after Thibaut Courtois was ruled out through illness, but the Ukrainian goalkeeper delivered when Real needed him most.

Bellingham and Camavinga Create Mbappe's Late Winner

As the match entered its closing stages, a draw appeared increasingly likely.

Then Real Madrid struck.

The decisive move began around halfway through the pitch, where Jude Bellingham produced a brilliant piece of skill to help launch the attack.

Substitute Eduardo Camavinga surged forward before sending the ball across goal.

Mbappe was waiting.

With Barcelona's defence exposed and the goal virtually empty, the Frenchman converted to score his second of the match and put Real ahead in the 87th minute.

It sparked wild celebrations from the visitors.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho marked the winner with a brief knee slide near the dugout before celebrating with a fist pump.

Barcelona had little time left to respond.

Real had landed the decisive blow.

Mbappe Is Becoming an El Clasico Specialist

Mbappe's latest performance strengthened an already remarkable personal record against Barcelona.

Since joining Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, the France international has now scored eight goals in seven El Clasico appearances across all competitions.

His goals had not always translated into victories, however.

Before this encounter, Real had won only one of the previous six Clasicos featuring Mbappe.

Perhaps the clearest example came in May 2025.

Mbappe scored a hat-trick against Barcelona but still finished on the losing side as Real suffered a dramatic 4-3 league defeat.

This time, his goals produced the result Real wanted.

His double at Camp Nou also took him to 11 La Liga goals this season.

Only Barcelona captain Raphinha, with 13, has scored more in the league during the current campaign.

For a player already accustomed to delivering on the biggest stages, Mbappe is rapidly establishing El Clasico as one of his favourite fixtures.

Lunin Steps Up in Courtois' Absence

Mbappe will understandably dominate the headlines, but Real Madrid also required an important contribution from Lunin.

Courtois was unavailable because of illness, handing the Ukrainian his first club appearance of the season.

Real were also without suspended forward Vinicius Jr, leaving the visitors without two major first-team players.

Lunin nevertheless ensured Courtois' absence did not become decisive.

He made three saves during the first half from England winger Anthony Gordon before producing his most important intervention shortly after Barcelona equalised.

Martin's header appeared capable of completing the turnaround, but Lunin reacted brilliantly to claw the ball away with one hand.

Had Barcelona scored at that moment, the match could have developed very differently.

Instead, Real remained level long enough for Mbappe to eventually decide it at the opposite end.

Barcelona's Record Bid Ends at Nine Wins

Defeat was particularly frustrating for Barcelona because of what was at stake beyond El Clasico itself.

Flick's team had won their opening nine league fixtures and entered the match with an opportunity to establish a new record for the best winning start to a Spanish top-flight season.

A 10th consecutive victory would have taken them beyond the benchmark established by Real Madrid's 1968/69 side.

Instead, their greatest rivals were the team to stop them.

Barcelona remain top of the standings despite the defeat.

After 10 matches, they hold a two-point advantage over second-placed Atletico Madrid, while Real Madrid sit another point behind in third.

That means only three points separate the top three.

The title race remains wide open.

Real Madrid Send a Message With El Clasico Victory

For Real Madrid, this was about much more than simply ending Barcelona's perfect start.

They travelled to Camp Nou without Vinicius Jr and Courtois, conceded an equaliser after taking the lead and faced periods when Barcelona appeared capable of taking control.

Yet they survived.

Lunin made the saves that mattered.

Bellingham helped produce the decisive transition.

Camavinga supplied the final pass.

And Mbappe delivered the finish.

Barcelona may still lead La Liga, and Raphinha may remain ahead of Mbappe in the individual scoring charts, but Real Madrid leave El Clasico with renewed momentum.

More importantly, their French superstar once again demonstrated why he is becoming such a decisive figure in Spanish football's biggest rivalry.

When the match needed someone to determine the outcome, Kylian Mbappe delivered twice — and his 87th-minute winner ensured El Clasico belonged to Real Madrid. Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out our top resources and start your journey with LB9 Online Casino today:

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