Kylian Mbappé netted a historic hat-trick in his first full El Clásico season, but it wasn’t enough to stop a surging Barcelona side from clinching a 4–3 victory and tightening their grip on the La Liga title.
The Estadi Olímpic witnessed a rollercoaster on Sunday evening as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona battled in a seven-goal thriller.
Madrid looked in control early on with Mbappé’s rapid double, but defensive lapses saw them concede four goals in 30 minutes — two from Raphinha, and one each from Eric García and Lamine Yamal.
Despite Mbappé’s third goal in the second half — which broke a 33-year-old Clásico record — Madrid couldn’t find an equalizer.
Barcelona’s midfield, led by Gavi and Pedri, absorbed pressure and neutralized Madrid’s late-game charge.
The victory caps a dominant season for Barcelona over their archrivals, having now beaten them in the Spanish Super Cup final, Copa del Rey final, and twice in La Liga.
With three games to go, Barcelona is seven points clear atop the league — a title triumph now appearing all but inevitable.