Robert Lewandowski narrowly missed the chance to secure a hat trick by hitting the post during El Clásico against Real Madrid, although he did score two goals in the match. Barcelona triumphed over their rivals with a convincing 4-0 victory on Saturday, overshadowing Kylian Mbappé’s debut Clásico appearance.
Lewandowski found the net after receiving an excellent pass from Barcelona’s young talent Marc Casadó in the 54th minute and added a second goal just three minutes later, much to the disappointment of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium crowd. These goals marked his 16th and 17th overall for the season, enhancing his league-leading tally to 14.
The 17-year-old Lamine Yamal further increased Barcelona’s lead in the 77th minute with a powerful shot that went over goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, making him the youngest goal scorer in Clásico history. Raphinha capped off the evening in the 84th minute with a clever chip over Lunin after breaking free from the Madrid defense.
Mbappé struggled in his inaugural game against Barcelona, frequently finding himself offside against the well-organized Barcelona defense and failing to convert a one-on-one opportunity with backup goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.
This match marked a significant occasion for coach Hansi Flick, who celebrated his first Clásico victory. With this win, Barcelona edged six points ahead of second-placed Madrid in LaLiga after 11 matches.
After suffering four consecutive defeats to Madrid, the Catalans claimed their first win since March 2023 with a commanding performance, reflecting Flick’s high-pressure defensive strategy. Casadó, a previously overlooked reserve team player, expressed pride in the team’s effort, highlighting their ability to perform under pressure.
Flick included five homegrown players in his starting lineup, mirroring the squad that recently defeated Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League. A notable feature of the game was the presence of six players under the age of 22, including the standout 17-year-olds Yamal and Pau Cubarsí.
Yamal had already proven himself against Mbappé during the European Championship and continued to shine in this match, scoring with his weaker right foot. Meanwhile, Vinícius Júnior missed a significant opportunity early in the game, shooting wide from close range.
Peña, tasked with stepping in for injured goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, delivered a strong performance, including two critical saves against Mbappé. He emphasized the importance of the team’s collective effort in executing a high defensive line, which produced several offside traps.
Raphinha’s goal highlighted his development under Flick, bringing his tally to ten goals for the season.