A LATE goal by Kylian Mbappe has handed Real Madrid a priceless 2-1 win on Barcelona’s home turf – blowing the La Liga title race wide open as Los Blancos close the gap on their bitter rivals to just three points.
The French forward scored a brace for his side during Sunday’s El Clasico, with the late winner marking his 100th goal for Real Madrid in just 116 appearances.
Ending Barcelona’s nine-match winning streak, the upset also cemented Mourinho’s impressive El Clasico record – with the Real Madrid manager now unbeaten in six consecutive meetings with the Catalan giants.
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Despite dominating possession with around 60%, Barcelona were left stunned when Mbappe capitalised on a deflected clearance to put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute.
Raphinha then equalised 16 minutes into the second half – but silence fell over the Camp Nou when Mbappe latched onto a pass from Camavinga to score Real Madrid’s late winner with just three minutes left on the clock.
The result leaves Real Madrid on 24 points after ten games, just three behind league leaders Barcelona, who remain top on 27.
Atletico Madrid sit between the two rivals in second place with 25 points, leaving all three clubs separated by just three points as the title race heats up.
A Barcelona victory in El Clasico would have sent the Blaugrana soaring to 30 points, five clear of second-placed Atletico and nine ahead of Real Madrid.
Instead, Mourinho’s triumph has left Hansi Flick’s side looking nervously over their shoulders, with both Los Blancos and Atletico breathing down their necks.
The Portuguese manager has now won six and lost six El Clasicos across his two spells in charge.
Commenting on Sunday’s victory, Mourinho said: “In my view, Real Madrid do not play to win at the Camp Nou, Real Madrid play to win La Liga.”
“We could win with luck, but we won with calmness and with all merit,” he added. “It’s a very strong group. Everyone works very hard. Everyone was ready to win.”
Meanwhile, Flick admitted his team lacked energy following a demanding few weeks.
“We missed the freshness,” he said. “It’s not easy for our players. We have to recover well, train well and we have to respond to this defeat.
“In big games, small things are important and they decide the games. Today, they weren’t on our side.
“I can see that today we were not fresh and this is what we have to change.”
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