In one of the most thrilling El Clásico clashes in recent memory, Barcelona came out on top against arch-rivals Real Madrid with a dramatic 4-3 victory in Matchday 35 of the 2024/25 La Liga season. Despite a hat-trick from Kylian Mbappé, Barça completed a historic clean sweep over Los Blancos this season and moved within touching distance of the league title.
Four Wins, One Rival: Barça’s Dominance over Madrid Reaches New Heights
Barcelona’s latest triumph marks their fourth victory over Real Madrid this season, winning both La Liga fixtures, the Spanish Super Cup final, and the Copa del Rey final. It’s the first time in club history that they’ve beaten Madrid four times in a single campaign.
With this result, the Blaugrana extend their lead at the top of the table to 82 points, now seven points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid (75 points). Three more points from their final matches will crown them 2024/25 La Liga champions.
Head coach Hansi Flick praised the team’s achievement but kept his focus sharp:
“Of course, beating Madrid four times in one season means a lot to the players and fans. But we’re not done. We still need one more win, that’s the goal.”
Mbappé Strikes Early, but Barça Hits Back
Real Madrid came out firing, with Mbappé opening the scoring in the 5th minute from the penalty spot and adding a second just nine minutes later via a lethal counterattack assisted by Vinícius Jr. The early brace set the visitors up 2-0 and momentarily silenced Camp Nou.
But Barcelona responded in style.
In the 19th minute, Ferran Torres and Eric García combined on a well-worked corner to head home their first. Thirteen minutes later, Ferran set up rising star Lamine Yamal for a stunning long-range equaliser. Two minutes later, Raphinha finished off a slick pass from Pedri to flip the scoreline 3-2 in Barça’s favour.
The Brazilian wasn’t done yet, just before halftime, he teamed up again with Ferran for his second of the night, capping off a thrilling first-half turnaround that saw Barça head into the break leading 4-2. Ferran, notably, ended the half with a hat-trick of assists.
Mbappé’s Hat-Trick in Vain as Barça Hold On
In the second half, Mbappé completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute, again linking with Vinícius Jr. to cut the deficit to 4-3. It was a landmark performance from the Frenchman, his first El Clásico hat-trick since joining Madrid, but it wasn’t enough.
Real Madrid threw everything forward in the closing stages, with youngster Muñoz missing a one-on-one in the 88th minute. Mbappé had what looked like a fourth goal ruled out for offside in stoppage time, and Barça’s Fermín also had a late goal chalked off for handball.
After a breathless finale, the final whistle confirmed Barcelona’s 4-3 win, their most dramatic yet in this series of El Clásico victories.
Ancelotti Admits Defensive Collapse Cost Madrid
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti didn’t sugarcoat the post-match analysis:
“The mistakes in the final 30 minutes of the first half were decisive. It wasn’t about our shape, it was just poor defending, plain and simple.”
The defeat likely ends Madrid’s hopes of defending their La Liga crown. With no domestic silverware this season, the UEFA Super and Intercontinental Cups remain their only trophies.
The “Hat-Trick Curse” vs Barça Continues
Interestingly, Mbappé became the fourth player this season to score a hat-trick against Barcelona and still lose. Earlier, Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy netted three goals in the Champions League quarter-final second leg but was eliminated on aggregate. It seems no individual brilliance can crack Barça’s collective strength this season.
Barcelona turns its attention to Thursday’s Catalan Derby against local rivals Espanyol in Matchday 36. A victory there would mathematically seal the La Liga title, two rounds early.
If successful, Barça will also complete a domestic treble: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España. It would mark their first league title since the 2020/21 season and a powerful statement under Hansi Flick’s leadership that the Blaugrana are truly back.
