Barcelona shatter Real Madrid’s unbeaten run with 4-0 Clasico triumph

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski netted two quick second-half goals, propelling his team to a resounding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid, marking the hosts' first defeat in 42 LaLiga matches in an intense Clasico showdown on Saturday.

The Polish striker’s goals came within three minutes, followed by a strike from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal — making him the youngest ever Clasico scorer — and a late finish from captain Raphinha, sealing a dominant win at the Bernabeu.

With the win, Barcelona extended their lead at the top of LaLiga to 30 points, six ahead of Real Madrid, whose unbeaten run in the league, which stretched back 13 months, ended bitterly.

The victory also ended Barcelona’s four-match Clasico losing streak since March 2023, achieved through a disciplined performance that adhered closely to coach Hansi Flick’s high-pressing style.

Although Real initially dominated, missed opportunities — particularly by Kylian Mbappe, who missed four close-range chances and had two goals ruled offside — left them increasingly frustrated.

Despite Real's control of the game, Barca’s counter-attacking strategy, led by the speed of Raphinha and Yamal, found success when Lewandowski scored twice in rapid succession in the 54th and 56th minutes, taking his tally to 14 goals in 11 LaLiga matches.

Real continued to miss chances, with Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham, and Mbappe unable to capitalise, leading to discontent among the home fans. Barcelona maintained control and finished off the match with further counter-attacking goals from Yamal in the 77th minute and Raphinha six minutes before the end.

Lewandowski expressed his satisfaction with the result, calling it a “great victory” and highlighting the confidence boost it would give the team. Meanwhile, Mbappe's disappointing performance has raised concerns in Madrid regarding his slow adaptation since his move from Paris Saint-Germain in June.

With only eight goals — three of them penalties — in 13 appearances, and struggling to connect with Vinicius Jr, Bellingham, and Rodrygo, Mbappe’s role in the team has come under scrutiny, particularly as Real Madrid achieved a Champions League and LaLiga double without him last season.