Real Madrid vs Barcelona Archives

La Liga: Bellingham brace earns Real Madrid Clasico win at Barcelona

Jude Bellingham’s stunning double snatched Real Madrid a 2-1 comeback victory at Barcelona in his first La Liga Clasico on Saturday.

The England international, who has started his Madrid career in remarkable goalscoring form, unleashed a rocket into the top corner from distance after Ilkay Gundogan had sent hosts Barcelona ahead at the Olympic Stadium.

Bellingham then fired home a second in stoppage time from close range to silence Barcelona fans and reach 10 goals in the top flight in the ongoing La Liga season.

Barcelona hit the woodwork twice and had the better of the game but Bellingham, La Liga’s top goalscorer, is in unstoppable form and inevitably made his mark in his first Clasico.

Bellingham’s brace sent Madrid to the top of La Liga, ahead of Girona on goal difference, with both teams four points ahead of Barcelona in third.

“I love these comebacks, it played with my heart a little bit (but) they’re always so fun to play in,” Bellingham told Real Madrid TV.

“We didn’t give up and I’m so happy I could do it.”

Bellingham didn’t waste time celebrating his equaliser, keeping a cool head and quickly preparing to re-start the game, in search of the eventual winner.

“He seems like a veteran… the goal to level it totally changed the game,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said of his 20-year-old match-winner.

“What was surprising today was his shot, he’s always arriving in the box, today he scored a stupendous goal from in front of the area.”

Bellingham has now scored 13 goals in 13 games for Real Madrid across all competitions.

“He can get to 20 or 25 goals, because he has started very well,” added Ancelotti.

Barcelona could not believe the points had slipped out of their hands after a strong performance.

“The summary is simple, we had 60 very good minutes where we scored a goal, they had 20 to 25 minutes and they scored two,” said coach Xavi.

“I think Madrid’s victory today is unjust… they were much more efficient than us, that is the big difference.”

Barcelona were boosted during this most anticipated La Liga clash by the returns of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde and Raphinha from injury, with Xavi naming them on the bench.

His counterpart Ancelotti once again deployed Bellingham in the number 10 role as he got his first taste of arguably the world’s biggest club football match.

However, it was another midfielder playing for the first time in the Clasico who broke the deadlock — Barcelona’s summer arrival Gundogan.

The former Manchester City man was sharpest when Aurelien Tchouameni intercepted Ferran Torres’ pass, diverting it back into his own area.

David Alaba tried to clear but was thoroughly unconvincing and Gundogan read his intentions, hopped onto the ball and swept past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the sixth minute.

Fermin Lopez, one of the emerging young Barcelona La Masia academy products, then slapped a shot against the post.

Gavi, Gundogan and Lopez controlled the midfield, with Joao Cancelo’s more advanced position allowing Barcelona additional defensive security.

Barcelona struck the woodwork again when Inigo Martinez headed Lopez’s inch-perfect cross against the post.

Madrid were reduced to long-range efforts but eventually one ripped into the net to level the score, with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen could not keep out Bellingham’s blast, pulling Madrid level in a game they had struggled to find a foothold in.

Bellingham intervened decisively in stoppage time, in the right place at the right time to finish after Luka Modric diverted Dani Carvajal’s cross into his path.

If Madrid’s comeback played with Bellingham’s heart, it broke Barcelona’s.

“The message for everyone, the players too, is that this season is long, it’s the 11th game,” said Xavi, trying to rouse his troops who seemed despondent at full-time.

In contrast, Bellingham was naturally overjoyed.

“It was a little bit emotional thinking about all the times I watched (the Clasico) on my sofa with my family,” added Bellingham.

“I said to them today it was my turn to make an impression — I’ve done that and I’m really happy.”

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Depleted Barca earn Copa semi first leg Clasico win

MADRID: Eder Militao’s own goal handed a depleted Barcelona a surprise 1-0 away victory over Real Madrid in a stormy Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Thursday.

The Catalans arrived on the back of two consecutive defeats and without an injured trio of key players — top scorer Robert Lewandowski, key midfielder Pedri and explosive winger Ousmane Dembele.

After their Europa League elimination by Manchester United last week and a first ever loss against La Liga minnows Almeria, Madrid fans smelled blood, but left bitterly frustrated.

Militao deflected a rebound into his own goal after 26 minutes to split the teams and hand Barcelona the edge ahead of the second leg on April 5 at Camp Nou.

The hosts had more of the ball but failed to muster a shot on target, while Barcelona defended well.

“This was the game we wanted to play — not with this result, but it gives us confidence for the second leg,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

“We did not let Barcelona do what they wanted, that’s good for us, and we just have to repeat it (at Camp Nou).”

Asked if Barcelona deserved to win or not, Ancelotti said it was clear his team deserved more.

“No, that is obvious, we had chances, but I think that it was one of Madrid’s best games in terms of pressing high,” added Ancelotti.

“It was a bit strange, their way of playing, but they have learned very well, it’s a very solid team defensively.”

Barcelona lined up with Marcos Alonso out of position at centre-back, after Andreas Christensen was only deemed fit enough to start on the bench.

Sergio Busquets made his 46th Clasico appearance, overtaking former Real Madrid and Barcelona greats Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi to set a new record.

Despite Barcelona’s seven-point lead over champions Madrid in La Liga, many, including Barca coach Xavi Hernandez, had Madrid as favourites.

Los Blancos have not won the trophy since 2014 and pushed Barca back early on, with Benzema scoring a goal ruled out for offside.

A handful of Madrid fans had protested outside the Santiago Bernabeu about Barca’s involvement in the “Negreira case” — the Catalan club paying a former refereeing chief for advice until 2018.

The temperature rose considerably when Vinicius Junior was booked midway through the first half for wrestling Frenkie de Jong to the ground.

Vinicius remonstrated vociferously with the referee, and Madrid may still have been distracted by the argument moments later when Barcelona took the lead.

The goal came against the run of play, created by Ferran Torres, who slipped through Franck Kessie, just onside.

Thibaut Courtois saved the Ivorian midfielder’s low shot but the ball rebounded off Militao, into his own net, with Nacho trying and failing to hack it clear.

Madrid players and supporters reacted angrily as Barcelona midfielder Gavi got away with smashing into Militao, but the hosts struggled to carve out chances.

Barcelona held their lead until the break comfortably, with supporters whistling the officials as they walked towards the tunnel.

With Carlo Ancelotti’s side unable to muster a shot on target against an underwhelming Barcelona side, perhaps some of the home supporters’ frustration aimed at the referee was misplaced.

Madrid struggled to connect with Benzema, isolated and unable to influence the game.

Record Copa winners Barcelona should have doubled their lead with 20 minutes remaining when Torres cut the ball back to Kessie, but his goal-bound shot was blocked by his own team-mate, Ansu Fati.

Rodrygo whipped a shot wide for Madrid in the final stages as they remained unable to test Ter Stegen, despite Barcelona’s deficiencies.

More traditional roles were reversed as Madrid had more of the ball but Barcelona defended solidly and took the advantage back home.

“Today they dominated us with the ball, but there are other aspects in the game, sometimes the opponent forces you to this,” admitted Xavi.

“Madrid can dominate you, it’s hard to get the ball off (Toni) Kroos and (Luka) Modric, but defence is part of the game.”

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‘Spectacular’ Gavi shines as Barca beat Madrid to win Spanish Super Cup

RIYADH: Barcelona convincingly beat Real Madrid 3-1 in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to win the Spanish Super Cup, their first trophy since coach Xavi Hernandez took over.

Inspired by teenager Gavi, who scored himself and set up goals for Robert Lewandowski and Pedri Gonzalez, the Catalans produced one of their best performances in years against their bitter Clasico rivals.

Having enjoyed great success as a player at Barca, Xavi returned in November 2021 and after a summer of heavy spending this emphatic victory is a sign his project is moving in the right direction.

Karim Benzema netted a late consolation for Madrid, who have been far from their best since the World Cup break and also fell three points behind Barcelona in La Liga last weekend.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti suffered his first defeat in a final since 2014, with Los Blancos surrendering the trophy they earned last season to Barcelona, who have now won the Super Cup a record 14 times.

“We knew it was a chance we had to take, we have lived through an era of changes at the club and in the dressing room, and this will reinforce us to keep fighting for more titles,” Barca captain Sergio Busquets told Movistar.

Xavi crucially deployed four central midfielders, with 18-year-old Gavi drifting inside off a nominal starting position on the left and frequently giving Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal the slip.

Barcelona broke the deadlock when Busquets pressed well after a loose Antonio Rudiger pass, leading to Lewandowski feeding Gavi, who slotted home confidently.

Gavi turned provider for the second, running on to De Jong’s pass and sliding the ball across for Lewandowski to finish clinically.

“(Gavi) is a kid that excites us all, when you see him compete like that, putting his soul out there, he’s a character that is contagious for the team, he has an innate capacity for leadership,” Xavi told a press conference.

“It comes from inside him, it’s spectacular. At 18, I have said it many times, but don’t let it stop, he has no ceiling this boy.”

Real ‘weaknesses’

Gavi, who won the Golden Boy award in 2022, was the game’s outstanding performer and showed Barcelona are in good hands both now and for years to come.

Madrid’s own young star Vinicius Junior was shackled by Ronald Araujo, the Uruguayan playing at right-back to directly subdue the Brazilian’s threat.

“Today I think we were lacking, we went out there giving 90 percent, 80 percent, and in a final against a rival like this, you can’t do that,” Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde told Movistar.

Courtois denied Dembele after a brilliant Alejandro Balde run and the overworked Belgian stopper was keeping Madrid’s slim hopes alive.

By contrast, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen went untested until the 70th minute, by when his side had netted their third.

Lewandowski released Gavi, who crossed for Pedri to tap home at the back post as Barcelona romped to a compelling victory.

The only blot on Barcelona’s copybook was a late Benzema strike, finishing after his first effort was blocked.

“To say it was humiliation is disrespectful,” Ancelotti told a news conference.

“We lost a game against Barcelona like we beat them in the league. They played better and they deserved it, full stop.”

The biggest blow for Madrid may prove to be the morale boost the victory is for their rivals.

Although Xavi will ultimately be judged on his performance in major competitions — and Barcelona have already been eliminated from this season’s Champions League — he was thrilled by the victory.

“It brings a lot of calm, confidence, because what we planned worked brilliantly, we beat Madrid, dominating the whole game,” said Xavi.

“I’ll take how we played from this, it is very important to me. The trophy, yes, but how (we won it).

“We have three trophies to play for this season and this gives us confidence.”

Real Madrid outpower Barcelona 3-1 in first El Clasico of LaLiga 2022-23

MADRID: Real Madrid sealed a thumping 3-1 win at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday over arch-rivals Barcelona in the 250th El Clasico to go on top of LaLiga.

Barcelona tasted their first defeat in the ongoing LaLiga season and slipped to the second spot after staying at the top over the week.

The reigning champions dominated the game as they took an early 2-0 lead thanks to the superb strikes by Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde.

Barca retaliated as Ferran Torres scored a late goal while Rodrygo furthered the lead with a penalty in stoppage time.

Following the sensational win, Madrid maintained their unbeaten record in LaLiga, with eight wins and a draw and went three points clear of the arch-rival Barca.

Benzema ended his five games goal drought as he opened the scoring for Real in the 12th minute after Vincous Jr’s effort got blocked by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Madrid doubled their lead 10 minutes before the break when Valverde found himself in space outside of the box and steered a fine finish past Ter Stegen.

Valverde doubled the lead with a fine touch from outside of the box, 10 minutes before halftime.

With only 10 minutes left, Barca scored a consoling goal through substitute Torres following a skilful display from Ansu Fati and Robert Lewandowski but Sergio Busquets’ tackle in the 90th minute awarded Rodrygo a penalty.

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