Barcelona moved within touching distance of the LaLiga title after a pulsating 4-3 comeback victory over Real Madrid in a chaotic El Clasico that summed up the contrasting trajectories of Spain’s biggest rivals this season.
Kylian Mbappe’s early double had Los Blancos dreaming of revenge, but Barcelona’s ferocious response capped by a brace from the electric Raphinha, ensured a fourth straight win over Madrid in all competitions and pushed them seven points clear at the summit with just three games to go.
Hansi Flick’s men showed immense resolve after Tuesday’s Champions League heartbreak, erasing a 2-0 deficit in just 15 minutes. A defiant Flick, refusing to celebrate prematurely, praised his team’s mentality.
“This wasn’t easy after going out to Inter,” he said. “But we’ve built a group that doesn’t fold, no matter the challenge. The title is near, but we must stay sharp, it’s not over.”
The German also reserved praise for 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who curled in a stunning equaliser and tormented Madrid’s patched-up defence all night. “He’s fearless, smart, and decisive and he’s just getting started,” Flick said.
Madrid, missing five first-choice defenders, were undone by their own errors as much as Barça’s brilliance.
Raphinha punished Dani Ceballos and Lucas Vazquez for two costly mistakes either side of half-time, and though Mbappe completed his hat-trick late on, it wasn’t enough.
“We attacked well, but defensively we made serious mistakes,” admitted Carlo Ancelotti, whose side now face a trophyless season. “At this level, you can’t afford lapses like that.”
The damage was compounded when substitute Victor Munoz had a late Madrid equaliser ruled out for offside, while Fermin Lopez’s strike at the other end was chalked off for handball.
Still, the job looks nearly done for Barça. If Madrid fail to win at Mallorca on Wednesday, a win in Thursday’s Catalan derby against Espanyol will crown the Blaugrana as champions and complete a domestic double that could yet mark a new era under Flick.
