El Clasico: Mbappe hits century as Madrid stops Barca run

El Clasico has been a fixture of Spanish football for over a century, but the match at Camp Nou on Sunday night carried specific weight for both clubs' title aspirations. Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 to claim all three points in front of a home crowd that had supported an undefeated start to the season.

Kylian Mbappe scored both goals for the visitors, reaching a personal milestone of 100 goals for Real Madrid across all competitions since joining the club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. His brace brought his season total to 14 goals. The victory marked the first league defeat for Barcelona this year, halting a nine-game winning streak that had seen them lead the La Liga standings.

The result also shifted the historical head-to-head record. Real Madrid now holds the advantage in all-time El Clasico meetings with 107 wins compared to Barcelona's 106. For Barcelona, the loss follows a recent defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, marking their second loss in consecutive competitions. Manager Hansi Flick's side had been on the verge of breaking Real Madrid's record for the best start in top-flight history, a mark set by the 1968-69 Real Madrid team.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, now in his second stint at the club, emphasized the importance of consistency in his post-match remarks. "If we win today but lose at El Sardinero, it counts for nothing, because Madrid isn't playing to win at the Camp Nou," he said. "They're playing to win the championship." The 63-year-old manager, who last won a league title with Chelsea in 2014-15, has guided Real Madrid to five consecutive victories in all competitions, including three in La Liga and two in the Champions League.

The win improves Real Madrid's position in the league table. They now sit in third place with 24 points after 10 matches, trailing Barcelona by three points. Atletico Madrid holds second place with 25 points. Mbappe, the 2025-26 Ballon d'Or frontrunner, is set to attend the award ceremony in London on Monday. He finished last season as the top scorer in both La Liga and the Champions League and won the Golden Boot at the World Cup.

The match ended a two-season trophy drought for Real Madrid fans, who hired Mourinho to restore their dominance. The former manager of Manchester United and Benfica led the club to three trophies during his first tenure, including a record-breaking La Liga title. Sunday's result provides early evidence that his tactical approach is resonating with the squad. The team will next face Racing Santander, a match Mourinho referenced in his comments on the need for sustained performance.