Bellingham Present returns as Actual Madrid win Clasico thriller

MADRID — Jude Bellingham scored a late winner as Actual Madrid beat Barcelona 3-2 in an exhilarating version of El Clasico on Sunday, leaving Madrid 11 factors clear on the high of the desk and — with six video games left — closing in on the LaLiga title.

Guests Barca went forward early on on the Santiago Bernabeu by means of Andreas Christensen, earlier than Vinicius Junior equalized from the penalty spot. Barca may need gone forward earlier than halftime, however with no goal-line know-how in LaLiga, Lamine Yamal’s shot was judged to not have crossed the road.

Substitute Fermin Lopez’s close-range end put Barca again in entrance halfway by means of the second half, however Lucas Vazquez levelled simply 4 minutes later, earlier than Bellingham struck in added time.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, FA Cup, Bundesliga & extra (U.S.)
– Learn on ESPN+: What wouldn’t it take for Barca to catch Madrid?

Alex Kirkland and Sam Marsden in Spain break down what that outcome means for every of the LaLiga giants.

Actual Madrid’s inevitable LaLiga title belongs to Bellingham

In fact, it was Jude Bellingham. Was there ever any doubt?

The midfielder scored twice to win the primary Clasico of the season again in October in what may solely be dubbed the Bellingham Present. Right here, he dazzled once more with one other dramatic purpose in added time, firing previous Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to successfully finish the title race. Actual Madrid will win LaLiga this season, and Bellingham’s half in that victory could not have been a lot larger.

Madrid at the moment are 11 factors forward of second-placed Barca. Six of these factors have come from two Clasico wins, each due to Bellingham. Twice Barca went forward right here on the Santiago Bernabeu, and twice Madrid fought again — with unsung hero Lucas Vazquez the important thing man on each events — earlier than Bellingham sealed the three factors within the 91st minute.

This wasn’t a Clasico that Madrid needed to win. They simply had to ensure they did not lose, to protect their lead on the high, and keep away from Barca injecting some belated life again into the title race. So this wasn’t as all-or-nothing as El Clasico often feels. However that is nonetheless the most important membership sport in world soccer, and the ambiance on the Bernabeu lived as much as the event. Even the stadium’s new, imposing 360-degree large wraparound screens have been switched on for the primary time.

This wasn’t fairly Madrid’s strongest XI, with some tiredness from 120 minutes performed in opposition to Manchester Metropolis in midweek. Coach Carlo Ancelotti made three adjustments, with Dani Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez and Ferland Mendy dropping out. Luka Modric — in what could be his final Clasico look — got here into midfield, whereas Vazquez changed Carvajal, and Aurelien Tchouameni joined Antonio Rudiger at centre-back. The absence of Mendy meant Eduardo Camavinga at left-back, with the daunting process of going up in opposition to Lamine Yamal.

It wasn’t all optimistic for Madrid. Barcelona’s opener will make for uncomfortable viewing for goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who was the penalty shootout hero in opposition to Metropolis. Lunin got here off his line to attempt to attain Raphinha’s nook, could not get wherever close to it, and was simply crushed. Metropolis had 18 corners in opposition to Madrid in Manchester and could not rating from any of them. Right here, Barca solely wanted one.

One other fear was how troublesome Lamine Yamal was making life for Camavinga, earlier than he was finally changed within the second half. However it’s one other, much less thrilling broad participant, Vazquez, who deserves simply as a lot consideration. The 32-year-old’s dribbling run led to Madrid’s first purpose, beating Joao Cancelo and going over Pau Cubarsi’s leg, for Vinicius to transform the penalty. And when Barca went again in entrance within the second half, it was Vazquez who responded to make it 2-2, assembly Vinicius’ cross with a cool far-post end.

Vazquez obtained the help for the winner, too, though by then the main focus was, naturally, on Bellingham and yet one more essential purpose in what has been a exceptional debut season. Again and again, when Madrid have wanted it most, Bellingham has delivered, the final word clutch participant. And he may need simply delivered them the league title. — Alex Kirkland

With trophyless season assured, unsure Barca rebuild begins

Barcelona’s season will finish trophyless.

This week started with hopes of reaching a primary Champions League ultimate since 2019 and slicing the hole on LaLiga leaders to Actual Madrid to 5 factors. It ended with a European exit and a 3rd El Clásico defeat of the season.

There have been moments in Madrid on Sunday when it regarded like they might breathe life again into their fading title hopes. Christensen’s opening purpose and López’s strike to make it 2-1 are the plain standout moments, however this was additionally one other night time when 16-year-old Lamine Yamal as soon as once more confirmed how particular he’s.

There have been different moments that would have modified the sport, too. Barça will bemoan the very fact purpose line know-how is just not utilized in Spain after Yamal’s first half effort, spooned away by Lunin, was dominated to not have crossed the road. They may also lament poor ending from Ferran Torres and lapse defending from Joao Cancelo.

play

Have Barca’s defensive weaknesses price them the LaLiga title?

Dan Thomas is joined on ESPN FC by Craig Burley and Alejandro Moreno to look again on Barcelona’s El Clásico defeat to Actual Madrid.

Cancelo was crushed too simply by Vázquez, who was then fouled by Pau Cubarsí resulting in the penalty Madrid levelled from. The Portuguese full-back then left the identical participant fully unmarked for Madrid’s second equaliser at a second when it regarded just like the momentum had swung in Barça’s favour.

If particular person errors have hampered Barça’s title defence all through the season, accidents have additionally performed their half. There was one other one right here when Frenkie de Jong was pressured off with an ankle downside late within the first half.

However, in reality, even a win on the Bernabéu could not have been sufficient. They’d nonetheless have wanted Madrid, who’ve misplaced simply as soon as within the league this season, to drop factors in at the least two extra video games, whereas profitable all their ultimate six matches. Maybe it is higher to maneuver on with out the false hope three factors could have introduced.

Now Barça can concentrate on what comes subsequent. It stays to be seen what the longer term holds for coach Xavi Hernández. Earlier than this week, the requires him to reverse his choice to step down in the summertime have been rising after a 13-game unbeaten run. Again-to-back defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid could change that.

Xavi led Barça to a primary LaLiga title since 2019 final season, however it’s exhausting to argue they’ve improved this season, regardless of the additions of Cancelo, Joao Felix and Ilkay Gundogan. They’ve come up brief in opposition to Madrid on three events and misplaced their manner in opposition to PSG regardless of holding a two-goal benefit when Ronald Araujo was despatched off within the second leg in midweek.

Gundogan instructed ESPN this week that they’re experiences that may serve to enhance the group subsequent season. That is a optimistic manner of taking a look at it. There may be additionally a gifted younger squad brimming with potential, however there are additionally monetary points and areas of the group which want enhancing. Whereas the longer term is unsure, the loss to Madrid means the planning can now begin. — Sam Marsden