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Barcelona have placed themselves in a commanding position at the top of the The Table League courtesy of a 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in Sunday afternoon’s The classic At Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the opening 14 minutes, becoming Real Madrid’s highest-ever goalscorer in a debut season in the process, but the response from Barcelona was absolutely extraordinary.

Indeed, Eric Garcia and Lamine Yamal registered to quickly make it 2-2, before Raphinha netted twice in the latter stages of the first period to hand Hansi Flick‘s side a 4-2 lead at the end of a quite staggering first half of action.

Mbappe completed his hat trick in the 70th minute, moving onto 39 Real Madrid goals in the process, but even the Frenchman’s heroics were unable to secure the result that Los Blancos needed to realistically remain in the title race.

The result has left Barcelona seven points clear of second-placed Real Madrid with only three games left, meaning that only a minor miracle will prevent the Catalan giants from being crowned champions for the 2024-25 campaign.

SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT

Real Madrid had to win.

Mbappe’s early brace threatened to make it a famous result for the visitors, who would have moved to within a point of their bitter rivals in the table had they managed to claim all three points on Sunday afternoon.

However, Barcelona had other ideas, and it is perhaps not surprising that they turned it around considering the immense firepower at their disposal.

The home side were helped by some incredibly poor Real Madrid defending, but there was a job to do, and Yamal once again showed his class with a wonderful effort into the bottom corner, while Raphinha is having a historic season for the club.

Barcelona fell short in the Champions League, but unless something extraordinary happens in the final stages of the season, they are going to win a domestic double, while it should be three trophies in Flick’s first season in charge, including the Spanish Super Cup.

As for Real Madrid, defensive injuries have crippled them of late, and it is set to be a fascinating summer for the capital giants, with departing Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso likely to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the helm.

Changes are needed at Bernabeu, but Barcelona are the side to beat in Spain at this moment in time, and the signs are incredibly bright for the Catalan giants due to the number of excellent youngsters in and around the first team.

BARCELONA VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS

Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Barcelona (5th min, Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid)

Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the fifth minute of the contest, as Mbappe scores from the penalty spot after being brought to the ground by the onrushing Wojciech Szczesnywho had vacated the Barcelona goal.

Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Barcelona (14th min, Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid)

Real Madrid double their lead in the 14th minute of the match, as Mbappe races through on the Barcelona goal before carefully finding the back of the net; Barcelona’s high defensive line has been undone once again here.

Eric Garcia goal vs. Barcelona (19th min, Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid)

Barcelona have one back in the 19th minute of the contest, and the goal comes from Eric Garcia, with the defender heading into the back of the net from close range from a corner; this is already another classic between the two Spanish giants.

Lamine Yamal goal vs. Real Madrid (32nd min, Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid)

Oh my word – it is 2-2, and Yamal is on the scoresheet; it is a wonderful effort from the 17-year-old, who curls one into the far corner of the net to spark jubilant scenes from the home supporters.

Raphinha goal vs. Real Madrid (45th min, Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid)

Any time to breathe? No.

Barcelona have their third, and the comeback is complete, as Raphinha finds the back of the net after being released by Pedri; Real Madrid’s defence are absolutely all over the place at the moment.

Raphinha goal vs. Real Madrid (45th min, Barcelona 4-2 Real Madrid)

This is absolutely ridiculous; Barcelona have a fourth in the closing stages of the second period, and it is a second for Raphinha, who fires into the back of the net from close range following a clever pass from Ferran Torres.

Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Barcelona (70th min, Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid)

Mbappe completes his hat trick in the 70th minute of the match, with the France international turning a pass from Vinicius into the back of the net from close range; Barcelona’s high defensive line is undone once again.

MAN OF THE MATCH – KYLIAN MBAPPE

Mbappe has broken the record for most goals in a debut season for Real Madrid, with the attacker now on 39 for Los Blancos, representing an excellent 2024-25 campaign from a personal point of view.

The forward was taken the record which had been held by Ivan taddy (37), and it was a wonderful performance from the Frenchman in El Clasico, but Los Blancos were still unable to secure the result that they needed on Sunday afternoon.

BARCELONA VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS

Possession: Barcelona 62% -38% Real Madrid
Shots: Barcelona 23-9 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Barcelona 9-5 Real Madrid
Corners: Barcelona 10-2 Real Madrid
Fouls: Barcelona 17-15 Real Madrid

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign against Espanyol on Thursday night, while Real Madrid will be in action on Wednesday evening at home to Mallorca.

Real Madrid need to beat Mallorca to remain in the title race, but even if Los Blancos win, a victory for Barcelona against Mallorca would secure the championship with two games left to play.