Thanks to Jude Bellingham, leader Real Madrid won the 257th Clásico against arch-rivals FC Barcelona and took a big step towards the championship title in the Spanish football league. The Royal team with the two German national players Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger won 3-2 (1-1) against the Catalans on Sunday evening after a last-minute goal from the Englishman (90th + 1), the lead in the table grew by six Play for eleven points before the end of the season.
In addition to Bellingham, Vinícius Junior (18th, penalty kick) and Lucas Vázquez (73rd) scored for Madrid, Andreas Christensen (6th) and substitute Fermin Lopez (69th) had given the guests the lead twice.
For Real, opponents of Bayern Munich in the semi-finals of the Champions League, it was the 105th success in the classic. Barca, led by DFB captain İlkay Gündoğan and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, suffered their next bitter setback within a week after being eliminated in the premier class against Paris St. Germain.
Bellingham’s winning goal in stoppage time – like in the first leg
Barca caught Real off on the wrong foot early on: after a corner, keeper Andrij Lunin, the hero in the penalty shootout against Manchester City, made a positional error and Christensen easily headed in from close range. But the Madrilenians were not shocked. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi passed Vazquez in the penalty area, Vinicius Junior safely converted the penalty to equalize.
It was now an even game, in which coach Xavi’s team lost the Dutchman Frenkie de Jong due to injury shortly before the break. It remained an intense game in the second half. Lopez put Barcelona back in the lead from close range before Real hit back through Vazquez four minutes later.
Shortly afterwards, ter Stegen prevented the score from falling behind with a great save against Vinicius Junior (79′). Then, like in the first leg, Bellingham scored in stoppage time.