28
Real Madrid staged an impressive comeback in a captivating Clásico, initially trailing after Gündoğan put Barca ahead before the break. The dynamic shifted in the second half, largely due to Bellingham's brilliance. He first leveled the score with a remarkable long-range strike in the 68th minute. As the match neared its end, Bellingham struck again, this time connecting with Modrić's precision pass inside the six-yard box during stoppage time, clinching a dramatic victory for the leaders.
The Clásico commenced in a manner far from ideal for Real Madrid. Within the early minutes, specifically at the seventh minute mark, Gündoğan capitalized on a couple of fortuitous deflections to find himself one-on-one with Kepa, successfully putting Barcelona in the lead. The hosts didn't relent; they nearly doubled their advantage in the 16th minute when Fermín unleashed a shot from within the box, only to be denied by the post.
Faced with the urgency to respond at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Real Madrid's Rüdiger stepped up in the 22nd minute with a bold attempt from distance. As the first half progressed, Carvajal seized an opportunity to surprise the Barcelona goalkeeper with an audacious cross-shot in the 38th minute, but it only managed to ruffle the side-netting. Despite these efforts, the first half concluded with Real Madrid trailing and seeking a way to overturn the deficit.
As the teams emerged for the second half, the narrative of the Clásico began to shift. Real Madrid wasted no time in signaling their intent, creating a promising chance just two minutes in, though Rodrygo's powerful attempt from inside the box soared just over the crossbar in the 47th minute. Barcelona wasn't ready to cede their advantage easily, mounting a dangerous counter-attack that led to Íñigo Martínez's header thumping against the post. In the ensuing chaos, Kepa showcased his goalkeeping prowess, making a remarkable save to deny Araujo's point-blank shot.
Buoyed by this defensive stand, Real Madrid began to exert their dominance on the match. The midfield maestro Kroos almost drew his team level with a precise strike from the perimeter of the box in the 58th minute, but Ter Stegen was equal to the task, safely gathering the ball into his gloves. This series of events marked a clear turning point, as Real Madrid started to take the reins of the Clásico..
In an astute tactical maneuver, Ancelotti introduced fresh legs and a strategic mind by bringing Luka Modric into the fray, accompanied by Joselu. This substitution seemed to inject new vigor into the team, and it wasn't long before they mounted another significant attack. Five minutes following the change, Tchouameni tested the opposition with a formidable strike, eliciting a spectacular diving save from Ter Stegen, who had been a formidable barrier thus far.
Real Madrid were visibly in their element during this phase of the game, applying consistent pressure and weaving through Barcelona's defenses. Their persistence paid off in the 68th minute. It was Bellingham who broke the deadlock with an outstanding display of individual skill, unleashing a thunderous right-footed shot from 25 metres out. The ball rocketed past Ter Stegen, who had been resilient up until that point, signaling a crucial equalizer for Real Madrid. This moment was a testament to the team's resilience and their unyielding pursuit of a comeback in the Clásico.
With a little over 20 minutes remaining in the match, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation as both teams were eagerly pursuing a decisive winning goal. It was clear that whichever side could amplify their efforts and seize the initiative would likely emerge victorious and claim the coveted three points. As the minutes ticked away, it was Real Madrid who demonstrated an unwavering resolve to tilt the scales in their favor.
As the match edged into injury time, a pivotal moment unfolded. Carvajal, spotting an opportunity, delivered a precise cross into the penalty area. There, Modrić, with a deft touch, redirected the ball into the path of Bellingham. Demonstrating composure and clinical finishing, Bellingham found the back of the net, leaving no room for error. This crucial goal not only exemplified his striking prowess but also marked his tenth in LaLiga, catapulting him to the top of the scoring charts.
Moreover, this goal held significant weight as it was his thirteenth across all competitions for the season, underscoring his vital role in the team's offensive arsenal. Bellingham's decisive strike in the dying moments of the match was instrumental in ensuring that Real Madrid not only emerged victorious from the Clásico but also maintained their prestigious position at the summit of the league table.
With the victory in El Clasico Real Madrid achieved their 1.800th league, which makes them the first team to reach this milestone in the history of the competition. Our club, which dominates the honours list with 35 titles, reached this figure in its 3,001st match in the championship. Behind them in this ranking is Barcelona (1,740). Real Madrid's first LaLiga victory came on 10 February 1929, in the opening match against Europa (5-0). The 500th win was achieved on 27 December 1964 against Sevilla (4-0). Our team reached 1,000 wins on 2 September 1990 against Castellón (1-0) and 1,500 on 31 March 2012 against Osasuna (1-5). Of these 1,800 wins, 1,146 have been won at home and 654 away. In addition, our team has scored 6,419 goals.
Comments