Copyright skysports
Real Madrid edged an impassioned El Clasico at the Bernabeu to beat Barcelona 2-1 and go five points clear at the top of LaLiga. This was a revenge mission of epic proportions for the hosts. Barcelona won all four matches between the two sides last season across three separate competitions, which included a 4-0 thumping in this fixture exactly a year ago. But the visitors were without a raft of high-profile names on this occasion - Raphina and Robert Lewandowski among them - and were wildly open as Real created overloads all over the pitch, landing a total of 10 shots on target. VAR had denied the hosts a penalty and an opening goal before Kylian Mbappe slammed home the opener from a sumptuous Jude Bellingham pass in the 22nd minute, rather making a mockery of Barca's famously problematic high line. As it happened | Teams | Match stats | La Liga table Hansi Flick's side responded via Fermin Lopez, teed up by Marcus Rashford, to draw momentarily level, but were no match for Real's technical quality. Xabi Alonso simply managed the game better, with the hosts never looking like conceding their lead after Bellingham tapped Eder Militao's header beyond an otherwise superb Wojciech Szczesny. Mbappe also missed a penalty while Pedri was sent off late for two bookings in as many minutes, but each were incidental. Real were deserved winners, putting an end to Barcelona's winning run in this notoriously thrilling fixture. Bellingham back to best? Analysis by Sky Sports' Laura Hunter: Barcelona put 16 goals past their arch rivals during last season's four-game El Clasico rout. It played a large part in their domestic treble scalp and, perhaps equally importantly, made a mockery of Real's usual superiority. But here, in an entirely new season with different main characters, Barca were lacking. They had no cut through or penetration. Real limited the influence of Lamine Yamal and only afforded Marcus Rashford a few brief moments. Of the two Englishman on show, it was Bellingham who prevailed. Rashford undoubtedly had the harder task given the absentees and remained a decent outlet but it was the Real midfielder who made two decisive contributions. Bellingham was asked to close the inside channels, win second balls, and service Mbappe. He did all superbly. Thomas Tuchel will no doubt be aware. He asked for a better, more focused Bellingham. This version was pretty close to perfect.
