Jude Bellingham played Clasico hero again, scoring an injury-time winner to cap off yet another scintillating performance against Barcelona. His late goal, coupled with a fine showing from back-up right-back Lucas Vazquez, saw Los Blancos snatch a 3-2 win – and surely wrap up La Liga’s title race for good.
Madrid endured a sloppy start, and were made to pay as Andreas Christensen rose at the back post to nod home a header from a teasing corner. They equalised soon after, though, when Vinicius Jr fired home from the penalty spot after Vazquez was fouled by Pau Cubarsi.
Barca thought they had retaken the lead later in the first half, when a Lamine Yamal flick appeared to cross the line, but a VAR check was unable to confirm whether the ball snuck in. The Blaugrana eventually regained the advantage in the second half, however, as Fermin Lopez finished from close range after an Andriy Lunin blunder.
Madrid responded again through Vazquez, who was able to sneak in at the far post to turn Vinicius’ angled cross into the net, before Bellingham bagged the winner, rifling a shot into the roof of the net in the 91st minute to send the Madrid crowd into raptures. Title race over.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Andriy Lunin (4/10):
Caught in no man’s land when Christensen headed home from a corner. A blunder handed Barca their second, too. Forgettable night after his Champions League heroics in midweek.
Lucas Vazquez (8/10):
The Vazquez Clasico? Won the penalty for the Madrid first, went on to score the second, and assisted the third. A standout showing from the deputy right-back.
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):
Won his tackles and handled Lewandowski effectively. Slow to react on one or two occasions,
Antonio Rudiger (6/10):
Imperious at the back when needed, and can’t really be faulted for either of the Barca goals.
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):
A return to the position he thrived in last season. Engaged in an enthralling battle with Yamal – with mixed results.
Midfield
Toni Kroos (6/10):
Pinged it around when needed, but was rather vulnerable in transition. Subbed at the right time.
Federico Valverde (6/10):
Ran a lot, won his tackles and kept things tidy at the base of midfield. His versatility simply cannot be understated.
Luka Modric (7/10):
Controlled things in central areas in what could be his last Clasico. Wonderful on the ball and shrewd defensively, too. It will be weird to watch these fixtures without him.
Jude Bellingham (9/10):
Scored a late winner, of course. Full of industry, with some moments of quality thrown in. Second stoppage-time Clasico winner of the season. Ballon d’Or incoming?
Attack
Rodrygo (7/10):
Served as a buzzing presence in the final third, even if he lacked quality in key moments. A good performance, all said.
Vinicius Jr (7/10):
Tucked his penalty home comfortably and assisted Madrid’s second. Some better decision-making could have seen him score one or two more. Always seems to show up for these games.