Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 in the 265th El Clasico, denying their rivals the chance to become the first club in La Liga history to win their opening 10 matches of a season.
Barcelona began the game as league leaders, but Real Madrid created the first clear opportunity. Arda Guler capitalised on a misplaced pass from Pedri and surged into the penalty area before sending his effort over the crossbar.
The chance appeared to encourage Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who was taking charge of his first Clasico since March 2013. However, the Madrid boss was spoken to by referee Juan Martinez Munuera after only 10 minutes for protesting a foul awarded against Aurelien Tchouameni.
Barcelona were forced into an early change on the half-hour mark when right-back Xavi Espart suffered an injury. Alejandro Balde replaced him.
Mbappe then sent an acrobatic volley over the bar, before Anthony Gordon tested Andriy Lunin at his near post. The Real Madrid goalkeeper turned the effort behind while making his first appearance of the season, with Thibaut Courtois unavailable after being ruled out with flu.
Real Madrid took the lead four minutes before half-time in fortunate circumstances. Gerard Martin’s attempted clearance struck Mbappe from six yards and deflected into the net, giving the forward his 10th league goal of the campaign.
Barcelona threatened before the interval, but Lamine Yamal and Yan Diomande both fired wide from promising positions. With the next goal likely to prove decisive, the home supporters increased the noise at the start of the second half.
Their encouragement paid off in the 61st minute. Barcelona’s leading scorer Raphinha collected possession inside the penalty area and placed a finish into the far corner for his 15th goal in all competitions this season.
Real Madrid looked for an immediate response, but Joan Garcia held Guler’s snapshot. Barcelona continued to look dangerous and Lunin produced a superb reflex save to deny Martin’s header.
Yamal curled an effort narrowly wide and Frenkie de Jong saw a late shot blocked as Barcelona pressed for a winner. Instead, Mbappe settled the contest three minutes from full-time.
Eduardo Camavinga reached a through ball ahead of Garcia and squared it for his France team-mate, who tapped into an unguarded net.
The victory was Real Madrid’s first at the Nou Camp since October 2023 and only their second in the past eight meetings with Barcelona, with the other six ending in defeat.
It also extended Mourinho’s unbeaten record against Barcelona as Real Madrid manager to six matches, comprising four wins and two draws.
Real Madrid remain third in the table but have moved within three points of Barcelona, whose 23-match run of successive home league victories has now ended.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)