Real Madrid got a bit of a complex from Barcelona last season, and in the first El Clasico of the 2025/2026 campaign, they showed that they are ready to take over the primacy in Spanish football.
The "Blancos" did not outclass their big rival like they did in their last matches, but the first derby had the stamp of Xabi Alonso's debut on the bench - he outsmarted Hansi Flick (who was in the stands) for a victory that brings the first serious advantage in the La Liga standings.
It was 2:1 at the "Benabeu" - all the goals were seen in the first half in which Real was a much better team, while the second half offered a reaction from Barca, but without results.
The Catalans were saved twice by VAR in the first 15 minutes - first with a penalty, then with a Kylian Mbappe goal. but there was no salvation in the 22nd minute when the Frenchman once again escaped the opponent's high-placed defense and shook the net..
These were moments of dominance by the home team, waiting for a second goal (they had several chances to make it 2:0), and then the equalizer was seen.
Instead of 1:2 in the 43rd minute, the scoreboard read 2:1 because Jude Bellingham scored one of the easiest goals of his career from less than two meters.
It could have gone either way in the rest of the game, especially after the 52nd minute when Wojciech Szczesny saved Mbappe's penalty. - it was believed that this could give Barca wings, but Real closed the approaches to Thibaut Courtois' goal and ended a streak of four defeats in El Clasico.
It was enough for Real's plus five points over Barca at the top of the table...
Bonus video:
