The big question surrounding Barcelona’s starting XI heading into this game was whether Pedri would be included, but Xavi eventually decided against it, as did Carlo Ancelotti with Ferland Mendy. The French defender had not trained the day before the game, necessitating Eduardo Camavinga to fill in for him. Carlo also chose to start Lucas Vazquez and Luka Modric, while Dani Carvajal and Nacho began the game on the bench.
Real Madrid made a very poor start with Lunin giving the ball away to Raphinha very early, followed by a Vinicius error that won Barcelona an early corner. Andreas Christensen scored from the poorly defended corner to put the visitors up 1-0 within the first five minutes of the game.
Real Madrid had a fantastic chance to level the score just a couple of minutes later as Tchouameni and Modric created a great opportunity for Vinicius, but he missed from close range. However, the Brazilian made up for it by equalizing from the spot in the 18th minute after Lucas Vazquez was brought down in the box by Pau Cubarsi. Barcelona nearly went ahead again as Madrid’s poor defense against corners continued. Lunin had to deny Raphinha’s direct corner on the line to keep the scores tied.
Real Madrid dominated large phases of the second half initially, but their decision-making and finishing in the final third were not up to the mark, failing to impact the game significantly.
Barcelona took the lead just before the 70th minute after Real Madrid’s defense fell asleep once again and Fermin Lopez put the ball into the back of the net. The horror night for Lunin continued as his poor clearance put it right into Fermin’s feet.. Real Madrid, once again, did not take much time to equalise as Vinicius Jr found an incoming Lucas Vazquez with a brilliant assist and the Spaniard made no mistake from close range to make it 2-2.
Jude Bellingham hadn’t scored in the league since February before this El Clasico. In pure Jude Bellingham fashion, he obliterated Barcelona hearts again to score his 17th LaLiga goal of the season, in stoppage time, just as he did in Barcelona, earlier in the season. Ter Stegan had no chance in front of the close-range dagger from the Englishman.
Real Madrid are 11 points clear in LaLiga with six games to go.
