Ahead of the Classico, Real Madrid was extremely unhappy with how Spanish referees had been treating them and demanded fairness in the game.
Ahead of the Classico, Real Madrid was extremely unhappy with how Spanish referees had been treating them and demanded fairness in the game.
Barcelona was very confident of winning this fixture having already finished the Los Blancos mentally after twice humiliating them this season.
Lamine Yamal’s cutback pass in the 28th minute was beautifully directed to the right top corner by the impressive Pedri to give Barcelona an expected lead after dominating Real Madrid right from the start.
It was Barcelona’s game, and Real Madrid struggled to hold onto the ball.
Real Madrid’s best chance of the first half was finished by Jude Bellingham, but the flag was raised for an offside after Valverde had put him through against only the goalkeeper.
On the stroke of halftime, Ferran Torres’s promising header from a corner kick bounced off the right post with Real Madrid fortunately remaining in the game.
Barcelona ended the first half as the much better side with a slight 1-0 advantage.
Star forward Kylian Mbappe replaced Rodrygo at the start of the second half with Ancelotti chasing the equaliser. His presence suddenly changed things as Real Madrid started opening Barcelona’s defence.
Vini Jnr, in the 60th minute, tested Szczesny as Mbappe’s solo run was saved again by the Polish goalkeeper a few minutes later.
Mbappe, in the 70th minute, struck a delightful free-kick which clipped the left post and went in to alter the scoreline.
Real Madrid took the lead through Tchoumani after Ader Guler’s corner was powerfully headed in the 77th minute. Ancelotti’s changes worked with Real Madrid taking a 2-1 lead.
Lamine Yamal’s long pass located Ferran Torres who took advantage of Rudiger and Courtois’ miscommunication to make the score 2-2.
The game travelled to extra time, with Barcelona scoring the winning goal with four minutes to end the extra 30 minutes.
It was Barcelona’s first trophy of the season in their bid to win a third treble in their history.
Real Madrid have only Laliga to fight for but are four points far behind their rivals with five games left.
COMMENTS