It’s the clash everyone’s been waiting for: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona. On October 26, the spotlight turns to the Santiago Bernabéu, where Xabi Alonso’s side arrive in top form and as league leaders. But the Blaugrana, just two points behind, are determined to reclaim the top spot in La Liga. At the press conference, the Blancos’ coach stressed the crucial role of the fans, insisting that their passion and energy will be key as the team takes on their fierce rivals from Barcelona. That energy is already palpable outside the Bernabéu, where the colors of both teams mix in the crowd as chants echo through the streets.
The match starts with a bang. Barely two minutes have passed when Vinícius goes down in the box after a challenge from Lamine. Soto Grado is called to the VAR, but after a brief review, the referee waves play on — no penalty. The match continues at a relentless pace. Moments later, in the 12th minute, Mbappé finds the net with a strike — but the celebration is short-lived, as the goal is quickly ruled out for a marginal offside. Barely ten minutes later, the number 10 makes no mistake. In the 22nd minute, he finds the back of the net again, slotting home after a perfect assist from Jude Bellingham — and this time, the goal counts. Barely moments after the restart, Barcelona launch a quick counterattack, and Valverde is booked for trying to halt the break. As the game heats up, the first big moment for the goalkeeper arrives in the 28th minute — Szczęsny pulls off a decisive save to keep out Huljsen. The pace shows no signs of slowing. Both sides push forward, leaving spaces at the back, and in the 38th minute Barcelona draw level — Firmin delivers the equalizer. Real doesn’t take long to strike back, and in the 42nd minute, Bellingham restores their lead.
Just as the second half kicks off, a penalty is awarded to Real: Mbappé steps up to take it, but Szczesny manages to save the shot. After the thrilling penalty save, the pace of the game slows down a bit, and in the 65th minute, Real make their first substitution: Brahim comes on to replace Güler. Shortly after, in the 71st minute, Real make another double substitution: Valverde and Vinícius Jr. are replaced by Rodrygo and Carvajal. It’s substitution time for Barcelona as well: Casadò comes on for Torres, and Araújo replaces García. With less than ten minutes remaining, Flick replaces Cubarsí with Roony. Shortly after Roony comes on, in the 88th minute, Koundé, all alone in front of goal, miscontrols the ball. The two key Real players are withdrawn, making way for Gonzalo and Ceballos as the team looks to close out the game. With Gonzalo and Ceballos on the pitch, the referee signals nine minutes of stoppage time to make up for the delay caused by the penalty.
In stoppage time, a confrontation breaks out between the two teams, and the tension quickly escalates. In the ninth minute of added time, Pedri is sent off for a second yellow card, and the Bernabéu erupts in a roar. Real takes home the Clásico victory with a 2-1 win, in the tense and passionate atmosphere that surrounds every Clásico.
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