Mourinho's Real Madrid snaps Barcelona's nine-game winning streak
Kylian Mbappe scored his 100th goal for the club in a 2-1 victory that moved Madrid to within three points of the league leaders.
By Amanda Valdez ·
Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday, ending the Catalan club's nine-game winning streak in the Spanish top flight. The result prevented Barcelona from breaking Real's all-time record for the best start to a La Liga season, a mark set during the 1968-69 campaign. This was the first league victory over Barcelona this season for the visitors.
Kylian Mbappe scored both goals for Real Madrid, bringing his total for the club to 100 across all competitions since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. His brace also raised his season tally to 14 goals, keeping him as the second-highest scorer in La Liga this year. The milestone occurred one day before the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London, where the 27-year-old is a leading candidate.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick's side suffered its second consecutive defeat, following a loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League days earlier. The loss at home left the Catalan club with 25 points after 10 matches. Real Madrid, now third in the standings, holds 24 points, putting them three points behind the leaders. Atletico Madrid sits in second place with 25 points.
Jose Mourinho, who returned to manage Real Madrid after a 13-year absence, secured a win in his first El Clasico since taking the job. The Portuguese manager has led the team to five consecutive victories, comprising three league wins and two in the Champions League. This run follows a rough start to the season that included losses to Real Betis and Atletico Madrid last month.
The victory gave Real Madrid the edge in the all-time head-to-head record between the two clubs. The win brings Madrid's total to 107 victories in El Clasico, surpassing Barcelona's 106. The result also provided a morale boost for a squad that has gone two seasons without a major trophy.
Mourinho emphasized the importance of the win for the team's identity. He stated that playing at Camp Nou requires a specific approach. “If we win today but lose at El Sardinero, it counts for nothing, because Madrid isn't playing to win at the Camp Nou,” he said. “They’re playing to win the championship.”
The manager celebrated the final whistle with a knee slide on the pitch. At 63 years old, Mourinho has now guided Real Madrid to three trophies during his first tenure, including a record-breaking La Liga title. The current squad aims to replicate that success under his renewed leadership.
Real Madrid will look to extend their winning streak in their next fixture. Barcelona remains at the top of the table but must now secure a win in their next match to maintain their lead over both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Source: Al Jazeera
