[Kylian Mbappé](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kylian_Mbapp%C3%A9) netted a brace to give [José Mourinho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mourinho)’s [Real Madrid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Madrid_CF) a 2‑1 win over league leaders [Barcelona](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Barcelona) at the Camp Nou on Sunday, narrowing the points gap to three in a match that saw the Catalans suffer their first domestic loss of the season.
Key details: Mbappé opened the scoring before the interval and added a second in the 78th minute. Barcelona’s Raphinha levelled in the 61st minute after a pass from Pedri. Real Madrid were without suspended winger Vinícius Júnior, while Andriy Lunin started in goal in place of the ill Thibaut Courtois. The victory marked Mourinho’s side’s fifth straight win in all competitions and moved Real Madrid to third place, three points behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The match report observed, “Real Madrid remain third, behind Atletico Madrid and Hansi Flick’s Barca.”
What were the decisive moments?
In the opening half the game was tightly contested with few clear chances. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi twice thwarted Mbappé’s runs, while Real Madrid’s Marc Cucurella repeatedly challenged 19‑year‑old winger Lamine Yamal. Anthony Gordon, making his first Clasico appearance for Barcelona after leaving Newcastle, sent a back‑heel pass to Raphinha, whose shot drifted just wide.
The hosts suffered an early setback when young defender Xavi Espart was forced off with injury and replaced by Alejandro Balde before the 30‑minute mark. Andriy Lunin, standing in for Courtois, saved a low drive from Gordon before the visitors took the lead. Mbappé’s first goal, his 10th league strike of the campaign, came when a Gerard Martín cross was deflected directly into his path and he slotted it home.
Barcelona responded quickly, creating a golden chance for an equaliser, but Yamal mis‑hit his effort, sending it wide. Yan Diomande struck the side‑netting in the run‑up to half‑time, missing the chance to double Madrid’s lead.
How did the second half unfold?
Early after the break Martín held off Jude Bellingham, preventing the English midfielder from finding a free Mbappé. Raphinha, who had been quiet in the first period, restored parity for Barcelona just after the hour mark, receiving a through ball from Pedri and firing past Lunin.
Lunin later produced a fine save to deny Martín from a corner as Barcelona pressed forward. Yamal’s attempt again went wide, and substitute Frenkie de Jong saw his shot blocked by Dean Huijsen. The decisive blow came when Gabriel Jesus lost possession, allowing Eduardo Camavinga to break through Cubarsi and lay the ball off to Mbappé, who calmly tapped the ball into an empty net after Joan Garcia had moved out of position.
The win leaves Real Madrid third in [La Liga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Liga), three points adrift of the leaders, while Barcelona’s unbeaten run in the league comes to an end after nine straight victories.