Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona: Jude Bellingham shined scoring an injury-time winner in the Clasico as Los Blancos extended their lead at the top of LaLiga to 11 points after the Catalans took the lead twice, touching one hand on championship
Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona: After Catalans had led twice, Jude Bellingham strikes again in the Clasico, extending Los Blancos’ lead at the top of La Liga at 11 points.
With the decisive goal by Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 3-2 to go 11 points ahead of them in La Liga.
The England midfielder’s first La Liga title in his debut year at the team is now only a matter of time.
With six games remaining, Real Madrid may even take it easy in the league and focus on their Champions League semifinal matchup with Bayern Munich, led by Harry Kane.
“The cake is baked; all we need to do now is add the cherry,” Carlo Ancelotti declared prior to kickoff. Bellingham accomplished that in extra time with his 21st goal overall.
Both teams appeared exhausted after their Champions League efforts the previous week, and after Lucas Vazquez tied the score at two goals apiece in the second half, it appeared as though a draw would occur.
Jude bellignham scored the winning goal against Barcelona for the second time this season
Bellignham struck home at the back post in the first minute of injury time at the Bernabeu
Joao Felix and Co looked dejected as their rivals celebrated their dramatic late winner
Bellingham’s remarkable debut campaign continued with another huge winning gooal
Javier Tebas hits back at criticism over lack of goal-line technology
Julio Baptista backs Jude Bellingham to light up the Clasico
But there is no off switch on the Bellingham motor – the legs just don’t know when to stop running and he had the last word.
After setting that ridiculous early season pace – 17 goals in his first 20 matches – the England midfielder had only scored twice since the turn of the year but he arrived to win this second Clasico of the season, just as he had won the first, with a brace in the match at Montjuic.
The best part was the last part,’ smiled Ancelotti after the game. ‘Bellingham getting the winning goal. It has been an unforgettable week for us.’
Barcelona made the perfect start when Andreas Christensen headed in Raphinha’s corner after just six minutes. The former Chelsea centre-back was given space at the back post by his marker Toni Kroos and he headed past Andriy Lunin.
Real Madrid levelled when Pau Cubarsi brought down Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius slammed the penalty past Marc Andre ter Stegen ending a run of 600 minutes for the keeper without conceding in the league.
+8View gallery
Lucas Vazquez drew Los Blancos level after Barca had taken the lead for the second time
Barcelona saw any hopes of winning the title disappear on Sunday evening
Lucas had skipped past Joao Cancelo and then drawn the foul from the 17-year-old defender, Cubarsi, making his Clasico debut.
Barcelona thought they had retaken the lead when Raphinha’s corner was flicked goalwards by Lamine Yamal. The 16-year-old celebrated but La Liga does not have goal-line technology and so without a clear replay it was not given.
Barcelona went back in front in the second half when substitute Fermin Lopez scored. But the lead lasted just five minutes because Lucas scored from Vinicius’ cross to leave Barcelona chasing the game once more – they had to win it to stand any chance of forcing the title race into the last weeks of the season.
Vinicius Jr celebrates with the Madrid supporters after Bellingham’s winning goal
Barcelona needed the goal but Bellingham kept leading Real Madrid forward and he buried the winner into the roof of the net after Lucas’ cross went beyond Joselu in the six-yard box.
There were 91 minutes on the clock and that meant time was up on Barcelona’s chances of winning the game, and on their season. It’s now a matter of when not if Madrid will win the league.
Bellingham celebrates with Brahim Diaz following the referee’s full-time whistle