Real Madrid Beat Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico as Mbappe Scores Twice, Winner in 87th Minute

Kylian Mbappe scored twice at Camp Nou on Sunday, including the winner in the 87th minute, as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first El Clasico of the La Liga season. The result handed Barcelona their first league loss of the season and cut their lead at the top of the table to three points after 10 matches.

Mbappe strikes first, Raphinha answers

Barcelona came into the match with nine wins from nine league games and a six point lead over Madrid. Madrid arrived without winger Vinicius Junior and without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was ruled out with flu, so Andriy Lunin started in goal.

The first half stayed tight until the 41st minute. A poor clearance in the Barcelona defence fell kindly for Mbappe, and the France striker put Madrid ahead for his first goal of the night. Barcelona pushed back after the break and levelled in the 61st minute. Pedri slipped a short pass into Raphinha at the top of the box, and the Brazilian drove his shot through the legs of Jude Bellingham and past Lunin to make it 1-1.

Barcelona pressed for a second. Lamine Yamal curled one effort inches wide in the 80th minute, and Madrid looked ready to settle for a point. Jose Mourinho, the Madrid manager, sent on Eduardo Camavinga for Bernardo Silva in the 80th minute, and the change decided the match.

The late winner

In the 87th minute Bellingham started a move in midfield and Camavinga raced past Pau Cubarsi down the wing. Camavinga squared the ball across goal and Mbappe finished into an open net to restore the Madrid lead at 2-1. Reports in Spain noted that the goal was Mbappe's 100th for Real Madrid. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick sent on Gabriel Jesus and Karim Adeyemi in the closing minutes, but Madrid held on through five minutes of added time.

What it means for the title race

Barcelona stay top of La Liga with 27 points, and Madrid move to 24 points in second place after 10 games. The loss ends Barcelona's perfect start to the league season. Madrid did it with a shortened squad, and they did it at the home of their rivals, which will matter to Mourinho's players as the season moves into November.

The match was played on the eve of the Ballon d'Or awards in London, where both Mbappe and Yamal are due to attend on Monday, October 26. For one night, though, the individual prize could wait. Mbappe left Camp Nou with both goals, three points, and a title race that is open again.