Mbappé's late double stuns Barcelona as Real Madrid win El Clásico 2-1 at Camp Nou

A famous night for Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé scored twice as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in El Clásico at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, ending the La Liga leaders' perfect start to the season and blowing the title race wide open. The French forward struck in each half, first with a fortunate opener four minutes before half-time and then with a clinical winner three minutes from the end, to give the visitors a famous victory in La Liga Matchday 10. Barcelona, who had won all nine previous league games, were beaten at home for the first time in the league this season, while Real Madrid closed to within three points of the summit.

For Barcelona, the defeat completed a chastening week. Hansi Flick's side had already lost in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, going down to Paris Saint-Germain, and this was their second straight defeat in all competitions. It was also their first domestic defeat of the campaign, and it arrived against their fiercest rivals, in front of their own supporters, Barcelona had won six of the seven previous Clásicos since Flick arrived, for long spells they looked subdued, and Real Madrid's organisation deservedly took the points.

A cagey first half

The first half was cagey, with few clear opportunities for either side. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí twice reacted well to shut down Mbappé, while Real Madrid's Marc Cucurella stayed close to Lamine Yamal throughout, repeatedly tugging at the teenager's shirt. Anthony Gordon, playing in his first Clásico since joining Barcelona, backheeled the ball to Raphinha, who fired narrowly wide as the hosts threatened. Barcelona were then dealt a setback when young defender Xavi Espart pulled up hurt and had to be replaced by Alejandro Balde before the half-hour mark, forcing Flick into an early reshuffle of his back line.

Andriy Lunin, playing in goal for Madrid after Thibaut Courtois pulled out of the squad with flu, saved at his near post from Gordon before the visitors took the lead. The breakthrough, when it came in the 41st minute, owed much more to fortune than to finesse. Yan Diomande's cross from the left caused panic in the Barcelona box, and Gerard Martín's attempted clearance cannoned straight off Mbappé and into the net. It was Mbappé's 10th La Liga goal of the season, and it sent Real Madrid into half-time 1-0 ahead. According to Opta, via Al Jazeera, it was also his 14th goal in 11 games against Barcelona.

Barcelona responded by carving out a glorious chance for an equaliser, but Yamal, for once, miscued in front of goal, firing wide when poised to level the scores. The game then opened up, and Diomande came close to doubling Madrid's lead before half-time, drilling his effort into the side-netting. Real Madrid, without suspended winger Vinícius Júnior, were growing in confidence, as they chased a fifth straight win in all competitions. José Mourinho's side, finding their footing under the veteran Portuguese coach, had a clear plan: stay organised, frustrate Barcelona's attackers, and strike on the break.

Raphinha restores hope

Martín redeemed himself early in the second half as he held off Jude Bellingham, who could neither beat the defender nor find a free Mbappé. Then, just after the hour mark, Barcelona finally found their equaliser. Raphinha, who had endured a quiet first half, pulled the hosts level in the 61st minute. Pedri fed the Brazilian, La Liga's top goalscorer, who fired through Bellingham's legs, and Lunin could not keep the shot out. It was Raphinha's 13th goal in his first nine La Liga games this season, according to OptaJose, which kept him top of the league scoring charts.

From that moment, Barcelona flowed forward with the wind finally in their sails, and for a spell they looked the more likely winners. Lunin, culpable on the equaliser, produced a superb save to deny Martín at a corner, a stunning reaction stop that kept Madrid level. Yamal bent an effort wide with Lunin at full stretch, and Barcelona substitute Frenkie de Jong had a shot desperately blocked by Dean Huijsen. The hosts were pushing for a 10th straight league win, and momentum seemed with them.

The late sting in the tail

There was, however, a sting in the tail for the Catalans. Substitute Gabriel Jesus lost possession, and Madrid raced through on goal. Eduardo Camavinga won the ball and burst forward, beating Cubarsí before unselfishly cutting the ball back for Mbappé to tuck home his second of the night into an empty net in the 88th minute, with Joan García drawn out of position. It was a ruthless counter-attack, and it silenced Camp Nou. With three minutes of normal time remaining, there was no way back for Barcelona, and Real Madrid held on.

The result cuts Barcelona's advantage at the top of the table to three points. Barcelona remain top with 27 points from 10 games, but Atlético Madrid are now second on 25 points, and Real Madrid are third on 24. What had looked like a procession now looks like a genuine three-way race. For Mourinho, back in charge of Madrid in this fixture for the first time since 2013, it was a statement win. For Flick and Barcelona, the task now is to respond: two defeats in a row will test a team that had made winning look routine. The title race, suddenly, is wide open.