Barcelona spoils Kylian Mbappé’s first Clásico with a commanding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid on Saturday, as Robert Lewandowski netted two goals and Lamine Yamal contributed to the rout.
This match marked the end of Madrid’s impressive unbeaten streak in La Liga, which had lasted 42 games, handing Carlo Ancelotti’s squad their first defeat since September 23 of the previous year.
Lewandowski opened the scoring with a brilliant assist from Barcelona’s emerging talent Marc Casadó in the 54th minute, followed by a powerful header just three minutes later that echoed through the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
These goals marked his 16th and 17th of the season, solidifying his position as the league’s top scorer with 14 goals, and he nearly added another when he struck the post.
Yamal, the 17-year-old sensation, further extended the lead in the 77th minute with a precise shot from a difficult angle that soared over goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Raphinha capped off the scoring in the 84th minute, deftly chipping Lunin after breaking free from Madrid’s defense.
For Mbappé, the match was a frustrating debut against Barcelona in a white jersey.
The French forward struggled to find his rhythm, often falling victim to Barcelona’s organized defensive line and failing to convert a one-on-one opportunity against backup goalkeeper Iñaki Peña while trailing by two goals.
On the other hand, Hansi Flick celebrated a remarkable debut in his first Clásico as the German coach.
Despite ongoing financial challenges that loom over the club’s future, Barcelona has shown significant improvement since Flick took over from Xavi Hernández during the summer.
Following this victory, Barcelona now holds a six-point lead at the top of La Liga, leaving Madrid in second place after 11 matches.
Casadó, a previously unknown player who became a key figure under Flick, expressed pride after the match, stating, “We had a tough week with tough games, but we knew how to pull it out. We played a great game.”
Flick’s lineup featured five homegrown players, mirroring the same squad that triumphed over Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League just days earlier. Remarkably, six players under the age of 22 started for Barcelona, demonstrating the club’s commitment to youth development.
Yamal, who previously outshone Mbappé during Spain’s victory over France in the European Championship, once again showcased his finishing ability, contrasting sharply with Mbappé’s struggles.
Mbappé was caught offside five times in the first half hour, illustrating Barcelona’s high pressing strategy. Vinícius Júnior, engaged in a captivating battle with Cubarsí, squandered a prime opportunity in the 21st minute when he shot wide from a close range.
