Mbappe scores twice as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou

Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico at Camp Nou on Sunday. Kylian Mbappe scored both Real Madrid goals, including a late winner. Al Jazeera and BBC Sport both reported the result.

The result left Real Madrid three points behind Barcelona in La Liga. It was Barcelona's first domestic defeat of the season and ended a nine-game league run. Al Jazeera described that run as nine straight wins. BBC Sport described it as a nine-game unbeaten domestic run.

The win was rare for Real Madrid in recent meetings. Al Jazeera reported that Barcelona had won six of the seven previous Clasicos since coach Hansi Flick arrived. BBC Sport called it only Real Madrid's second win in eight games against Barcelona.

How the goals came

According to Al Jazeera, Mbappe opened the scoring before half-time. A cross cleared by Barcelona defender Gerard Martin struck Mbappe and deflected into the net. Al Jazeera said it was his 10th league goal of the season. Raphinha equalised just after the hour mark from a pass by Pedri, the outlet reported. Al Jazeera said Raphinha leads La Liga's scoring charts with 13 goals.

For the winner, Al Jazeera reported that Barcelona substitute Gabriel Jesus lost possession. Eduardo Camavinga then beat Pau Cubarsi and cut the ball back for Mbappe to score into an empty net. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not give exact minutes for the goals.

Team news and context

According to Al Jazeera, Real Madrid played without suspended winger Vinicius Junior. Andriy Lunin kept goal after Thibaut Courtois withdrew with flu. Barcelona defender Xavi Espart was injured and replaced by Alejandro Balde before the half-hour mark. Al Jazeera also reported that Barcelona had lost to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho returned to Real Madrid this summer, 13 years after his first spell in charge, according to BBC Sport. The outlet reported he is now unbeaten in six Clasicos in a row as Real Madrid coach. BBC Sport said he celebrated the winner with a knee slide.

Al Jazeera described Barcelona as league leaders but also placed Real Madrid third, behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. The reports do not include a full league table or points totals.

What each side says

BBC Sport quoted Mourinho as saying: "We could win with luck, but we won with calmness and with all merit." He added: "In my view, Real Madrid do not play to win at the Camp Nou, Real Madrid play to win La Liga."

Flick said he did not want to make excuses, according to BBC Sport. The outlet quoted him as saying: "We missed the freshness."

Pedri told DAZN, according to Al Jazeera: "We wanted to win the Clasico in front of our fans, but the season is very long… a league is not won here."

The reports do not say where Mourinho and Flick made their comments.

Analysis

The result narrows the gap between the two clubs to three points, according to both outlets. Barcelona midfielder Pedri stressed that one match does not decide a title. For Real Madrid, the win came despite absences reported by Al Jazeera, which may suggest squad depth, though one result is limited evidence. For Barcelona, Flick pointed to fatigue after a demanding period. Whether that proves temporary or persists is open. Al Jazeera's reporting places Atletico Madrid second, between Barcelona and Real Madrid, but the reports do not give Atletico's points total, so the wider title picture remains uncertain.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.