Real Madrid defeats Barcelona 2-1 to end nine-game unbeaten run

Real Madrid fans left Camp Nou on Sunday night with a 2-1 victory over Barcelona, a result that broke the Catalan club’s nine-game winning streak in La Liga. The win gave Madrid three points and extended their all-time head-to-head lead over their rivals to 107 wins against 106. For the visiting supporters, the result provided a tangible boost to morale after a difficult stretch in the league.

Kylian Mbappe was the decisive factor in the match, scoring two goals to bring his total for the club to 100 across all competitions since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. The brace also raised his tally for the current season to 14 goals. Mbappe, who is 27 years old, is currently the second-highest scorer in La Liga this term, trailing only the top of the charts by a narrow margin.

The victory interrupted Barcelona’s perfect start to the season. Had the home side won, they would have surpassed the record for the best opening stretch in Spanish top-flight history, a mark set by Real Madrid in 1968-69. This was also Barcelona’s second consecutive loss, following a recent defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. The result marks the first time Barcelona has dropped points in the league this year.

Real Madrid’s manager, Jose Mourinho, has guided his team to a five-match winning streak across all competitions, including three league games and two European fixtures. This run of form follows a shaky period in September when the club lost to Real Betis and Atletico Madrid. The consistency under Mourinho has stabilized the squad’s performance after two seasons without major trophies.

The league table reflects the shifting dynamics between the two giants. After 10 matches, Real Madrid sits in third place with 24 points. They are three points behind Barcelona, who lead the table with 27 points. Atletico Madrid occupies second place with 25 points, sitting between the two traditional powerhouses as the season continues.

Mourinho’s return to the managerial position at Real Madrid represents a strategic shift for the club. He had not won a league title since leading Chelsea to the Premier League crown in 2014-15, but his extensive history in the sport remains a defining feature of his career. The 63-year-old manager emphasized that the goal is championship contention, stating that the team is playing to win the title rather than just individual matches.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled for Monday in London, where Mbappe is a leading contender for the award. His recent form, including leading scorer titles in La Liga and the Champions League last season and the Golden Boot at the World Cup, has strengthened his case. The timing of his 100th goal for Real Madrid came a day before this global recognition event.

Real Madrid’s next fixture will determine if this momentum continues. Mourinho noted that the victory at Camp Nou must be followed by consistent results elsewhere, specifically mentioning the upcoming match at El Sardinero. The manager’s approach focuses on long-term campaign management rather than single-game reactions, a strategy aimed at reclaiming the top of Spanish football.