Robert Lewandowski scored two goals in three minutes as Barcelona demolished rivals Real Madrid 4-0 on Saturday, handing the Spanish champions their first La Liga defeat in more than a year. Teen winger Lamin Yamal And Rafinha completed the rout, and the Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe two goals were ruled out for offside in a disappointing Clasico opener for Los Blancos, who now trail league leaders Barcelona by six points. France captain Mbappe was constantly outwitted by the visitors’ high defensive line, to the chagrin of an irritated Santiago Bernabeu crowd whose mood soured as Barcelona scored four times in the second half.
Barcelona ended Madrid’s 42-match unbeaten run in La Liga, one game short of the Catalan giants’ all-time record, adding further shine to their triumph.
Hansi Flick had whipped Barcelona into form in just a few months and, after ending a four-game losing streak in the Clasico, his young side took a claimed victory to show how far they had come.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has opted for more muscle in midfield by choosing Eduardo Camavinga is over Luka Modrichaving a clear game plan for your team – defend with numbers and try to put pressure on Mbappe or Vinicius a long ball into space behind Barcelona’s high defensive line.
This led to a tense but repetitive first half, with Barcelona’s defense caught offside eight times.
Mbappe hit the net and made a pass, but was offside both times. Jude Bellingham forced a superb save from Barcelona goalkeeper Inaki Pena, but it was also disallowed for offside.
At the other end, Barcelona’s young star Yamal gently flicked his shot to the side Andrey Lunin when Lewandowski struck the target with a superb strike.
Rafinha struck and Lunin also saved from the Brazilian striker, but Barcelona did not play with the fluidity they have shown in recent weeks, culminating in an impressive 4-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Mbappe thought he had broken the deadlock when he came from behind and fired a superb shot over Pena, but the striker was again judged marginally offside and his celebrations were cut short.
Despite feeling like they were constantly threatening Barcelona, Madrid had just one legitimate shot in the first half, with Vinicius hitting the back of the net as he tried to catch Pena at his near post.
Seeking more control, Flick is replaced Fermin Lopez With Frankie de Jong at half-time and Barcelona soon took the lead.
Married Lewandowski slid forward and with Madrid defender Ferland Mendy a step behind his teammates, the Pole was in the game.
The 36-year-old flew past Lunin, silencing the Bernabeu, before pouncing again two minutes later.
Lewandowski headed home Alejandro Balde’s pass to double Barcelona’s lead and score his 14th league goal in 11 games, continuing his stunning revival under Flick after last season’s failures.
Mbappe’s second goal was ruled out for offside as Madrid struggled to get back into the game and Pena saved the former Paris Saint-Germain striker’s weak shot.
Lewandowski missed two golden chances to complete his hat-trick, hitting the post after Raphinha was sent off and then scoring after good work from Yamal.
Spanish Euro 2024 star Yamal robbed Barcelona in third, scoring after being set up by the surging Rafinha as Flick celebrated jubilantly from the bench.
Raphinha completed the rout by throwing over Lunin and leaving the Bernabeu in disarray.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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