Barcelona are on the brink of winning La Liga after a sensational 4-3 Clasico win over arch-rivals Real Madrid in front of a buoyant home crowd in Catalonia.
With the stakes sky-high heading into the game, Real Madrid needeed to win on the road at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side aimed to close a four-point gap behind the league leaders.
The visitors stunned Hansi Flick’s charges with two goals inside the opening 15 minutes, as Kylian Mbappe converted from the penalty spot before quickly doubling his tally.
The script look ready to be torn into a million pieces, but Barcelona’s potent attack turned the tide in spectacular fashion. Eric Garcia popped up with another vital goal and Lamine Yamal curled home a leveller.
Raphinha then took center stage for Flick, as he lashed home a quickfire double to turn the game on its head and ease the hosts into a 4-2 half-time lead.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick to rally Real Madrid after the restart, but they could not find an equaliser, as Ancelotti’s exit edges closer and Barcelona zone in on the title.
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid final score
| Result | Goal scorers | |
| Barcelona | 4 | Garcia ’19, Lamine Yamal ’31, Raphinha ’34 ’45 |
| Real Madrid | 3 | Mbappe ‘5 [Pen], ’14, 70 |
Venue: Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium (Barcelona, Spain)
Referee: Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez
Confirmed lineups:
Barcelona (4-2-3-1, right to left): Szczesny (GK) — Garcia, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Martin — De Jong, Pedri— Lamine Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha — Torres.
Real Madrid (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Tchouameni, Asencio, Garcia — Ceballos, Bellingham, Valverde — Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
MORE: Updated Pichichi rankings as Lewandowski, Mbappe chase top-scorer prize
Barca vs Real Madrid stats
| Barcelona | Stat | Real Madrid |
| 23 | Shots | 9 |
| 9 | Shots on target | 5 |
| 1.96 | Expected goals | 1.37 |
| 62% | Possession | 38% |
| 244 | Passes | 149 |
| 2 | Corners | 2 |
| 9 | Fouls | 8 |
| 1 | Yellow cards | 2 |
| 1 | Offsides | 2 |
Barcelona vs. Real Madrid: El Clasico as it happened
FULL-TIME: BARCELONA 4-3 REAL MADRID!
The final whistle blows on a seven-goal cracker in Catalonia as Barcelona move seven points clear at the top of La Liga with three games remaining.
Raphinha’s double proved the difference maker – despite Mbappe’s awesome hat-trick – and Flick’s team and now on course to clinch the league trophy with three games left to play!
FULL TIME!!!! 🌵🌵🌵🌵#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/WXks2YU370
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 11, 2025
95 mins: Birthday boy Fermin Lopez keeps his cool to steer past Courtois but it’s ruled out for offside!
91 mins: Into six minutes of added time, and Mbappe turns home past Szczesny, but the flag is up for offside.
90 mins: THAT WAS REAL MADRID’S CHANCE!
Victor Munoz – on for his La Liga debut to replace Vini – is sent clean through but he cracks a strike off target!
86 mins: Vini Jr is surprised to be subbed off with Real Madrid chasing a goal.
80 mins: A nervous moment for Real Madrid as VAR backs up the referee’s decision not to award a penalty for handball against Tchouameni.
It’s last chance territory for Ancelotti now…
74 mins: BIG chance for Barcelona to seal it…Lamine Yamal slips Raphinha in at a tight angle but he stumblees and lashes over the top of Courtois’ goal.
70 mins: MBAPPPPE WITH THE HAT TRICK!!!
Real Madrid are off the canvas and it’s Mbappe again for the visitors!
Great vision from Modric frees Vinicius to race away and his rolled pass is easily prodded home from eight yards out to make it 4-3!
Once again….it’s GAME ON!
*Watch in USA
VINI TO MBAPPÉ ONCE AGAIN TO COMPLETE THE HAT TRICK FOR MBAPPÉ AND CUT BARCELONA’S LEAD TO ONE GOAL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/g4l9bN6ctH
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 11, 2025
*Watch in Canada
IT’S A HAT-TRICK FOR MBAPPÉ #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/KsFaiBd03u
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 11, 2025
65 mins: Despite the onus being on Real Madrid, Barcelona have looked more threatening since the restart, with an xG of 0.55.
60 mins: Time really is ticking away for Real Madrid as we hit the hour mark. Jude Bellingham tries to lift a ball over the top for Vini Jr but an alert Szczesny deals with it.
56 mins: A half-chance for Real Madrid, as Mbappe curls an effort past Szzesny’s post, and Barcelona make a double change. Balde and Christensen are on for Martin and Cubarsi.
51 mins: Real Madrid’s frustrations is starting to boil over here as Raul Ascenio is booked for a nasty challenge on Torres. The Barca players want a red card…but it stays as a yellow.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal then link up on a break away – and the teenager taps home from close range – but the offside flag flashes up against him.
47 mins: We are back underway and Ancelotti has opted for two changes at the break as club captain Modric and Brahim Diaz come on for Dani Ceballos and Arda Guler.
Can Real Madrid rescue their season?
HT: Raphinha will grab the headlines but Torres has been superb as Barcelona’s focal point in the opening 45 minutes.
Ferran Torres’ first half by numbers vs. Real Madrid:
10/11 passes completed
9 touches in opp. box
4 duels won
3 chances created
3 assists
2 fouls wonJust the second player to provide three assists in a LaLiga game this season after Inaki Williams. 🅰️🅰️🅰️ pic.twitter.com/lo8KGrNpb2
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 11, 2025
HALF-TIME: BARCELONA 4-2 REAL MADRID
If anyone needs a lie down after that first-half make sure you are back in 15 minutes for the second period of a rollercoaster in Catalonia!
Mbappe’s early double looked set to put Real Madrid on course for the win they desperately need to keep the La Liga title race alive but Ancelotti’s charges have been torn apart by a rampant Barca!
Garcia and Lamine Yamal dragged the leaders level before a cracking double from Raphinha has put Barcelona on course for a title-clinching victory against their fiercest rivals.
We go again in 15 minutes….
16 – @FCBarcelona have scored 16 goals in their four games vs Real Madrid this season in all competitions, a record for a team vs “Whites” in a single ever season (13 for Espanyol in 1929/30 and 13 for Barça in 2011/12). Party. #ElClasico ❤💙#BarcelonaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/Cnf8jFUkwG
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 11, 2025
46 mins: Six minutes added on….we don’t want this half to end!
45 mins: 4-2 BARCA….RAPHHHHHHINHA!
This is simply incredible….from 2-0 down…..Barcelona are 4-2 in front inside the first 45 minutes.
Lucas Vazquez gets caught lingering in possession by the tigerish Raphinha – a quick one-two with Torres – and the Brazilian fires past Courtois for his second goal today!
*Watch in USA
RAPHINHA STEALS IT FROM LUCAS VÁZQUEZ AND PUTS BARCA UP 4-2 IN ELCLÁSICO! WHAT A HALF 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LCNjHC9SQ3
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 11, 2025
*Watch in Canada
RAPHINHAAAA AGAIN!!!
THE SIXTH GOAL OF THE FIRST HALF.#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/8XftBQBK2b
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 11, 2025
42 mins: Real Madrid think they have a penalty as De Jong fouls Mbappe but the decision is overturned after no contact is spotted on Real Madrid’s main man.
34 mins: 3-2 BARCA….CHAOS IN CATALONIA!
Two goals in three minutes have Barcelona in front for the first time today!
A comedy mix up in the Real Madrid midfield allows Pedri to glide forward and he rolls in Raphinha to squeeze an effort under Courtois! SENSATIONAL!
*Watch in Canada
RAPHINHAAAAAAA
BARCELONA TAKES THE LEAD!!#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/tMwgMx06O2
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 11, 2025
31 mins: LAMINE THE DREAM EQUALISES FOR BARCA!!!
The prince of Barcelona has dragged Flick’s team back into this game with another goal against Real Madrid! That’s three in four for the 17-year-old against Los Blancos…
Real Madrid fail to clear their lines inside Courtois’ box and Torres cushions off a pass to Barca’s No.17 and he bends home a trademark finish!
*Watch in US
LAMINE YAMAL AND RAPHINHA BOTH SCORE WITHIN TWO MINUTES OF EACH OTHER TO COMPLETELY TURN ELCLÁSICO AROUND FOR BARCA! 3-2! 😱 pic.twitter.com/44gkmDRLqB
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 11, 2025
*Watch in Canada
WHAT A STRIKE ⚡️
LAMINE YAMAL TIES THE GAME!#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/cIby6SMOrr
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 11, 2025
25 mins: The two sides have allowed everyone get their break back after a wild opening. Lamine Yamal curls a speculative effort straight at Courtois, before Szczesny races out at the other end, as Mbappe almost latches onto a long ball over the Barca backline.
Fede Valverde then picks up a booking as he hacks down Lamine Yamal for the game’s first yellow card.
19 mins: BARCA HIT BACK…IT’S 2-1!
GAME ON!
Olmo’s near post corner is flicked on by Torres and Garcia throws himself at the loose ball to nod past Courtois! Brilliant response from Barca!
*Watch in US
FERRAN TORRES WITH THE FLICK ON AND ERIC GARCIA DRAWS ONE BACK FOR BARCA 👀 pic.twitter.com/Na71f6mnnq
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 11, 2025
*Watch in Canada
BARCELONA SCORES IN THE 19TH MINUTE
THAT’S THE THIRD GOAL OF THE GAME.#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/5aNwfl2pSZ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 11, 2025
14 mins: MBAPPE AT THE DOUBLE!!
INCREDIBLE FROM REAL MADRID’S NO.9!
Mbappe has stepped up in style in this huge game for Real Madrid!
Vincius raids into the space in behind Garcia, and his pass splits Cubarsi and Martinez, to allow Mbappe to calmly race away and slot past Szczesny!
*Watch in the US
VINI TO MBAPPÉ AND REAL MADRID LEAD 2-0 INSIDE 14 MINUTES IN ELCLÁSICO!!!
MBAPPÉ WITH A BRACE ALREADY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wdliTYZgsH
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 11, 2025
*Watch in the Canada
HE DOES IT AGAIN 😱
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ SCORES HIS SECOND OF THE GAME IN THE 14TH MINUTE!#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/eqynlpZ0Py
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 11, 2025
12 mins: Barcelona carve out their best chance so far, as Gerard Martin curls a low cross along the six-yard line, but Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres cannot stretch to turn it home!
10 mins: Things have settled after a high-voltage start here as Eric Garcia strides into the Real Madrid box and tries to catch out Thibaut Courtois – but the Belgian saves easily at his near post.
5 mins: MBAPPE MAKES IT 1-0!!!
What a start in Barcelona! Pau Cubarsi’s poor back-pass is seized on by Kylian Mbappe and the France international is taken down by Wojciech Szcezny!
After a lengthy VAR check, referee Alejandro José Hernández Hernández points to the spot and Mbappe fires home his 25th La Liga goal of the season!
*Watch in the US
A CUBARSÍ MISTAKE LEADS TO A PEN AND MBAPPE PUTS REAL MADRID AHEAD FROM THE SPOT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Vmqg5YwKO2
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 11, 2025
*Watch in the Canada
KYLIAN MBAPPÉ STRIKES FOR REAL MADRID EARLY 🔥#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/GCxEvP1ijf
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 11, 2025
KICK-OFF: BARCELONA VS. REAL MADRID….LET’S GO!
Here we go!#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/z0k400amJY
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 11, 2025
10 mins before KO: This is your ten minute warning ahead of the biggest El Clasico showdown in years!
A Barcelona win will effectively put them on the road to the La Liga titl, but if Los Blancos can claim victory in Catalonia, we are in for a thriller until the end of the campaign!
25 mins before KO: BREAKING NEWS
Ahead of kickoff here in Barcelona, breaking reports from ESPN Brazil claim Real Madrid have agreed a stunning contract renewal with Vinicius Junior, amid rumours of ongoing interest from the Saudi Pro League.
The rumoured details include a deal until 2030 with a €20m annual salary for the Los Blancos No.7.
🚨 CONFIRMED: Vini Jr is set to renew his contract at Real Madrid.
– Fixed salary of around €20M per year.
– Big signing bonus that makes the earnings around €30M per year.
– Deal until 2030.@ESPNBrasil pic.twitter.com/ciCgHHQt95— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 11, 2025
45 mins before KO: Title race latest…
Let’s take a look at the state of play pre-game in Catalonia.
Both sides have three league matches remaining after today with Barcelona holding a four-point title lead as it stands.
Up next for Flick is a Catalan derby against Espanyol on May 15, followed by a final home game of the campaign against Villarreal on May 18, and a season closer at Athletic Club on May 25.
Real Madrid host Mallorca on May 14, travel to Sevilla four days later, and round off the season at home to Real Sociedad on May 25.
1 hour before KO: STAT ALERT!
Luka Modric will match Andres Iniesta’s 38 El Clasico appearances if he comes off the bench today.
1 hour 10 mins before KO: BARCA TEAM NEWS IS IN!
Flick goes with the same starting team which lost out at the San Siro as Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde are only fit enough for a spot on the bench.
🚨 BARÇA XI 🚨#ElClásico pic.twitter.com/FjdrWFXJpe
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 11, 2025
1 hour 20 mins before KO: The atmosphere is starting to crackle as we head towards kick off with Spanish outlet Diario Sport confirming a Barcelona fan protest against club president Joan Laporta.
The Real Madrid team bus is also pelted with objects as it swings into the stadium.
⚪️🤬Lluvia de objetos para recibir al Real Madrid
📹@joanlfdez pic.twitter.com/FMmIINQzGV
— Diario SPORT (@sport) May 11, 2025
1 hour 30 mins before KO: TEAM NEWS IS IN FOR REAL MADRID!
Carlo Ancelotti loves an early team news reveal and he’s nice and prompt on what is set to be his final El Clasico appearance.
Los Blancos are unchanged from last weekend’s 3-2 win over Celta Vigo as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham all start for the visitors.
📋✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/Hym2DCe3ld— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 11, 2025
1 hour 45 mins before KO: Ahead of the biggest match of the La Liga campaign our guy Kyle Bonn is on the ground in Catalonia soaking up the sun and the pre-game atmosphere at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
On site at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona for #ElClasico
It’s very, very sunny ☀️ ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/zGcLDHtv4I
— Kyle Bonn (@the_bonnfire) May 11, 2025
2 hours before KO: We’ve had three unforgettable El Clasicos this season already. Today’s game could basically decide the title race if Barcelona win again. What a flex that would be…
Terry Crews flexes Cactus Jack for El Clásico 💪@Spotify @trvisXX 🌵 pic.twitter.com/OxMsINdSjc
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 10, 2025
MORE: All-time Clasico head-to-head record
