Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou on Sunday, handing the La Liga champions their first domestic defeat of the season and cutting the gap at the top of the table to three points.
Barcelona had drawn level through Raphinha after Mbappe opened the scoring, but the French forward struck again late in the match to secure the victory for Jose Mourinho’s side.
The result ended Barcelona’s run of nine consecutive league wins and extended their difficult week following Tuesday’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid, who played without suspended winger Vinicius Junior, recorded their fifth consecutive victory across all competitions. They remain third in the standings, behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
The contest began cautiously, with both sides struggling to create clear chances. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi twice intervened to deny Mbappe, while Anthony Gordon came close to setting up Raphinha after a backheel, only for the Brazilian to shoot narrowly wide.
Barcelona suffered an early setback when defender Xavi Espart went off injured before the half-hour mark, with Alejandro Balde replacing him.
Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, deputising for the flu-stricken Thibaut Courtois, kept out a close-range effort from Gordon before the visitors took the lead.
Mbappe opened the scoring after Gerard Martin’s attempted clearance sent the ball towards the forward, who diverted it into the net for his 10th league goal of the season.
Barcelona missed an opportunity to respond before the break when Lamine Yamal fired wide from a promising position. Madrid also threatened through Yan Diomande, whose effort struck the side-netting.
Raphinha restored parity shortly after the hour mark, converting Pedri’s pass with a shot through Jude Bellingham’s legs that Lunin could not stop.
Barcelona pushed for a second, but Lunin denied Martin from a corner, while Yamal shot wide and Frenkie de Jong saw his effort blocked by Dean Huijsen.
Madrid settled the contest late on after Gabriel Jesus lost possession. Eduardo Camavinga drove forward, beat Cubarsi and squared the ball for Mbappe, who finished into an unguarded net with goalkeeper Joan Garcia out of position.
The victory strengthened Madrid’s position in the title race and left Barcelona facing consecutive defeats across European and domestic competition.
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