In a pulsating El Clásico on Sunday, 11 May 2025, Barcelona staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Real Madrid 4–3 at Montjuïc, moving within touching distance of clinching the La Liga title. Trailing 0–2 early on, Barça’s resurgence was spearheaded by standout performances from Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Eric García, overturning the deficit before halftime. Kylian Mbappé’s hat-trick for Madrid proved insufficient as Barcelona extended their lead atop the table to seven points with three matches remaining
Match Summary
Real Madrid seized an early advantage with Mbappé netting twice within the first 15 minutes. However, Barcelona responded emphatically: Eric García initiated the comeback with a header from a corner, followed by a stunning curler from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who celebrated with a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired gesture . Raphinha then struck twice, capitalizing on defensive lapses to put Barça ahead 4–2 by halftime. Although Mbappé completed his hat-trick in the second half, Barcelona held firm to secure the victory .
Player Ratings
Barcelona
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Raphinha (9.5/10) – The Brazilian winger was instrumental, scoring twice and providing an assist. His leadership and attacking prowess were pivotal in Barcelona’s comeback .
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Lamine Yamal (9.0/10) – The teenage sensation delivered a mature performance, scoring a crucial goal and consistently troubling Madrid’s defense .
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Eric García (8.5/10) – Opened the scoring for Barcelona with a well-timed header, setting the stage for the team’s resurgence.
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Inaki Peña (8.0/10) – Made several key saves to keep Barcelona in the game, showcasing composure under pressure.
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Pau Cubarsí (8.0/10) – The young defender displayed tactical intelligence and composure, effectively managing Madrid’s attacking threats .
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Alejandro Balde (8.0/10) – Contributed both defensively and offensively, providing width and delivering dangerous crosses .
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Robert Lewandowski (8.0/10) – While not on the scoresheet, his movement and link-up play created space and opportunities for his teammates.
Real Madrid
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Kylian Mbappé (9.0/10) – A hat-trick performance highlighted his clinical finishing, though it wasn’t enough to secure a win for Madrid.
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Vinícius Júnior (7.0/10) – Provided the assist for Mbappé’s second goal but was largely contained thereafter. Lucas Vázquez (5.5/10) – Struggled defensively, with Barcelona exploiting his flank to significant effect.
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Antonio Rüdiger & Éder Militão (5.0/10) – The central defensive duo found it challenging to cope with Barcelona’s dynamic attack, leading to multiple goals conceded.
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Andriy Lunin (5.5/10) – Made some saves but was left exposed by his defense on several occasions.
🏆 Title ImplicationsBarcelona’s
victory extends their lead over Real Madrid to seven points with only three matches remaining. Given their superior head-to-head record, a win in their next fixture or a Madrid slip-up would secure Barça’s 28th La Liga title