Bellingham Secures La Liga Top Spot for Real Madrid with Clasico Triumph Against Barcelona
Jude Bellinghams strike aided Real Madrid in securing a 2-1 victory against Barcelona during an intense Clasico encounter, extending their lead at the summit of La Liga by five points over their fierce adversaries on Sunday.
The title holders Barcelona dominated their previous four clashes with the opposition throughout the prior campaign, yet in his debut Clasico managing Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso halted that streak.
Kylian Mbappe, who subsequently failed to convert from the spot, put Madrid ahead, and while Fermin Lopez restored parity for the away side at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bellingham restored the hosts lead prior to the break, a goal that ultimately sealed the outcome.
Barcelonas creative midfielder Pedri received a red card in the closing moments due to a second booking amid rising tempers in the Spanish capital.
This win for Madrid marks nine successes in their initial ten league fixtures, demonstrating under Alonso that they can prevail in high stakes matches, especially after their earlier defeat in the derby versus Atletico Madrid back in September.
Hansi Flicks squad was guided from the sidelines by assistant Marcus Sorg, since the German manager served a suspension from a dismissal the previous weekend, despite their narrow success against struggling Girona.
Barcelona missed numerous key players, such as Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, and Dani Olmo, amongst others, whereas Lamine Yamal seemed not entirely recovered from a groin problem but took the field from the start.
The young forward provoked Madrid supporters earlier in the week by alleging that Los Blancos engage in theft and excessive protesting, resulting in resounding boos whenever his name echoed around the stadium before the game began.
Barcelona held greater possession during the opening period, though it remained unproductive, with Madrid generating the sharper chances.
The home team earned a penalty soon after kick off when Yamal seemed to foul Vinicius Junior, but following a VAR check, it was overturned since the Brazilian had started the challenge.
The crowds frustration towards the referees intensified when Mbappe rifled the ball into the net from beyond the box, only for the effort to be disallowed due to a fractionally offside position involving the French ace.
Mbappe soon had reason to truly rejoice, courtesy of excellent interplay from Bellingham that freed him to race towards goal.
The leagues leading marksman, notched his eleventh league strike this season via a precise low drive beyond Wojciech Szczesny.
The shot stopper produced a solid stop against Dean Huijsen, while Bellingham and Fede Valverde nearly extended the advantage as Madrid asserted dominance.
Szczesny denied attempts from Vinicius and another from Bellingham, making Barcelonas equaliser come somewhat unexpectedly.
Arda Guler lost the ball in a perilous zone, allowing Marcus Rashford, in his inaugural Clasico appearance, to deliver a cross for Lopez to fire home the leveller for the visitors in the 38th minute.
Bellingham added Madrids second just five minutes on, affording Los Blancos a merited upper hand heading into the interval.
The English talent, fresh from his initial Bernabeu goal since April during the recent Juventus fixture, joyfully converted after Eder Militao headed Vinicius cross back towards him.
Mbappe Penalty Denied
Madrid ought to have increased their cushion early in the second half, yet Szczesny executed an excellent denial on Mbappes spot kick, following a handball decision against Eric Garcia.
Yamal, appearing irritated and unable to influence proceedings significantly, unleashed a distant effort well above the crossbar as Madrid tightened up to maintain a secure buffer against the Catalans.
In the dying minutes, Madrid posed the greater danger even as Barcelona pressed for a goal, with the home side able to introduce Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz, contrasting Barcelonas lack of forward options from the bench.
During the nine minutes of added time, Sorg advanced defender Ronald Araujo into attack after his improvised scoring role as a forward against Girona, though the defender failed to test Madrid custodian Thibaut Courtois.
Pedri departed with a second yellow in the dying seconds for a tardy challenge on Aurelien Tchouameni, igniting a short altercation among the benches, and post match arguments erupted between players from both teams.