Real Madrid won a tense Clasico with the goal of Judging Bellingham, moving five points clear of their bitter rivals at the top of La Liga on Sunday.
Champions Barcelona won each of their four matches last year, but Xabi Alonso’s first spell as Real Madrid coach ended that trend.
Madrid were in the lead when Kylian Mbappe later missed a penalty, and Bellingham added a second before halftime for the hosts at the Santiago Bernabeu, which was decisive.
As tensions erupted in the Spanish capital, Barca playmaker Pedri was sent off in the final stages for a second yellow card.
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Following their derby humbling defeat at Atletico Madrid in September, Madrid have won nine of their opening ten league games and proved to themselves that they can win.
As Hansi Flick’s team scrapped a victory over relegation-battling Girona last weekend, his assistant Marcus Sorg led the way on the touchline.
Lamine Yamal, who started with a groin injury, did not appear fully fit, while Barcelona were without several regular starters, including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, among others.
The teenager swindled Madrid fans during the week by calling Los Blancos “steal” and “complain,” and before kick-off, read out in a chorus of jeers.
In the first half, Barcelona had more possession of the ball, but it was mostly sterile possession and Madrid made the most risky decisions.
When Yamal appeared to down Vinicius Junior, the hosts were given an early penalty. However, due to the Brazilian initiating the contact, it was voided following a VAR review.
When Mbappe fired home from outside the area but the goal was ruled out for a milmetric offside against the French superstar, the Madrid fans’ ire at the officials grew.
After Bellingham’s outstanding work sent Mbappe through on goal, he did not have to wait long before he could celebrate in earnest.
With a deadly low finish past Wojciech Szczesny, the forward, the division’s top goalscorer, scored his eleventh league goal of the year.
As Madrid came to an end, the goalkeeper saved from Dean Huijsen, but Bellingham and Fede Valverde both made good save save saves.
Vinicius and Bellingham made another stoppage, and Barcelona equalized when the play went against the bar.
In the 38th minute, Arda Guler gave up possession in a dangerous area, and Marcus Rashford, who was playing his first Clasico, crossed for Lopez to level the proceedings.
Five minutes later, Bellingham scored Madrid’s second to give them a much-needed lead.
The England international gleefully headed home after Eder Militao nodded Vinicius’ cross back into his path after scoring his first goal at the Bernabeu since midweek against Juventus.
Mbappe penalty saved
After Eric Garcia was given a handball penalty, Madrid should have extended their lead at the start of the second half, but Szczesny made a strong save to force Mbappe’s penalty.
As Madrid closed ranks and kept the Catalans at a safe distance from their goal, Yamal, frustrated and unable to change the game, fired a long-range shot high over the bar.
Despite Barca needing to score, being able to score Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz, Barca had little to offer the way of attacking reinforcements in the final stages.
After Sorg’s substitution for a makeshift striker against Girona, Ronald Araujo, who had scored the winner in stoppage time, was able to keep Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at bay.
Source: Channels TV
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