ISLAMABAD (PEN) : FC Barcelona took a decisive step toward reclaiming the La Liga title with a dramatic 4–3 victory over Real Madrid on Sunday, overcoming a Kylian Mbappé hat-trick in a high-stakes El Clásico clash at Camp Nou.
Mbappé’s Hat-Trick Not Enough as Barcelona Roar Back
Despite a clinical hat-trick from Mbappé — his first in an El Clásico — the Catalan giants staged an impressive comeback, with Raphinha netting twice and Lamine Yamal and Eric Garcia also getting on the scoresheet. The result gives Barcelona a commanding seven-point lead over Madrid, with just three matches remaining in the league.
The win also marked Barcelona’s fourth Clasico triumph of the season and provided the perfect response following their midweek Champions League exit to Inter Milan.
“We’ve opened up an important gap,” said Yamal after the match. “It was key to win this game after the Champions League \[defeat]… It was important to win today to bring the league title closer, and it went very well, we’re very happy.”
First-Half Frenzy: Seven Goals, Three Disallowed
The match opened with intensity as Mbappé earned and converted an early penalty following a challenge from goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny — a decision that stood despite Barcelona’s protest over an offside in the build-up. Minutes later, the French forward doubled Madrid’s lead, finishing cleanly after an assist from Vinicius Junior.
Barcelona responded swiftly. Garcia halved the deficit with a header from Ferran Torres’ corner. Yamal leveled the score with a curled strike, assisted again by Torres. The hosts took the lead moments later when Raphinha found the net following a smart pass from Pedri.
Mbappé had a potential second penalty overturned after a VAR review for offside. Raphinha then struck again, stealing possession from Lucas Vazquez and slotting home a fourth. Mbappé thought he had completed his hat-trick before halftime, but another goal was chalked off for offside.
Second Half: Madrid Push Back, Barcelona Hold On
The second half brought more drama. Yamal had a goal ruled out for offside, and Madrid closed the gap when Vinicius Junior broke the defensive line and set up Mbappé for his third of the night.
Barcelona appealed for a penalty after Aurelien Tchouameni’s apparent handball, but after video review, no foul was given. Madrid’s substitute Victor Munoz missed a crucial opportunity late on, and Szczesny denied Mbappé a fourth.
“It’s not always fun, sometimes I really suffer a lot,” admitted Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, referencing the team’s defensive lapses.
A dazzling run and finish by Fermin Lopez was also disallowed for handball in the closing stages, but it made little difference in the end.
Title in Sight
With the win, Barcelona are within touching distance of their first league title since 2023. Should Madrid drop points against Mallorca on Wednesday, the Catalans could be crowned champions. Otherwise, they’ll have the opportunity to clinch the title on Thursday with a win over Espanyol.
“We’ll seal it on Thursday and that’s all,” said Ferran Torres confidently, as the team eyes the finishing line.
