The demolition happened At the Santiago Bernabeu, where Barcelona delivered a stunning performance to defeat Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico, further extending their lead at the top of La Liga to six points.
With an explosive second-half display, Robert Lewandowski and company dismantled their fierce rivals, capitalizing on Real Madrid’s mistakes and demonstrating their dominance on the big stage.
This victory solidifies Barcelona’s position at the top of the table, leaving Real Madrid scrambling to recover from the humiliating defeat.
As is often the case in high-stakes matches like El Clasico, the first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate despite some promising chances from both sides.
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Real Madrid’s star striker Kylian Mbappe was the most active player in the first 45 minutes, but his efforts were in vain as the linesman raised his flag on several occasions, ruling his would-be goal offside twice.
Barcelona controlled the tempo of the game, holding more possession and keeping Real Madrid on the back foot. However, despite dominating the midfield battle, they were unable to break the deadlock before the half-time whistle.
With 55% possession and an xG of 0.37 compared to Real Madrid’s 0.29, Barcelona looked the more dangerous team, though their efforts lacked the cutting edge to convert control into goals.
Second-Half Blitz: Lewandowski Leads the Charge
Barcelona returned to the pitch with renewed energy and purpose. It didn’t take long for the Blaugrana to turn the tide of the match decisively in their favor.
Just after the hour mark, Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring with a clinical finish after being played through by Marc Casado. The striker showed his class, keeping his composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner, leaving Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Andrii Lunin with no chance.
FULL TIME! #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/EKqouP1Pka
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 26, 2024
But Barcelona was far from done. Just two minutes later, Lewandowski struck again, this time with a glancing header from a cross by Alejandro Balde. The quick double from the Polish international silenced the Bernabeu and put Barcelona firmly in control.
The writing was on the wall for Real Madrid as they struggled to disrupt the visitors’ rhythm, and the hosts’ problems were compounded by their inability to stay onside. Los Blancos were caught offside a staggering 12 times, squandering several promising opportunities.
Young Stars Shine as Barcelona Turn the Screw
With Real Madrid reeling, Barcelona pressed their advantage. Lamine Yamal, one of the standout young talents on the team, added a third goal for the visitors with a powerful finish after an unselfish assist from Raphinha.
Yamal’s emphatic strike into the roof of the net left Lunin helpless and marked yet another memorable moment for the young winger, who continues to impress in his breakout season.
Raphinha capped off the night with a fourth goal, showing both speed and precision as he latched onto a long pass from Inigo Martinez, chipped the ball over the advancing Lunin, and sealed a dominant win for Barcelona.
The Brazilian winger’s performance was a reminder of his growing influence within Hansi Flick’s squad, as he continues to provide assists and goals in crucial moments.
For Real Madrid, this defeat marks a significant blow in their quest to keep pace with Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti’s side struggled to deal with Barcelona’s relentless pressure and fast-paced counter-attacks. Despite their quality, Real Madrid looked disjointed and failed to find a way back into the game after falling behind.
Mbappe, who was expected to be the focal point of Real Madrid’s attack, was repeatedly denied by Barcelona’s organized defense. The French star’s offside troubles persisted throughout the match, and although he showed flashes of his brilliance, it wasn’t enough to break down the Blaugrana’s backline.
Vinicius Junior also had a frustrating evening, earning a yellow card late in the match for a reckless challenge on Pedri. The Brazilian forward struggled to make an impact, as Barcelona’s defense kept him in check for the majority of the game.
