Main events
Full time: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Barcelona’s perfect nine-game start has been spoiled by a masterclass from José Mourinho. Kylian Mbappe struck on the break in both halves to give Real Madrid, who are now just three points behind the league leaders, the winner.
95 minutes: We’re playing and Lamine Yamal almost picks out Gabriel Jesus with a cross… but Real Madrid break away again and Balde was penalized for a reckless foul on Mbappe.
94 minutes: Cucurella and Mbappe are booked back-to-back, presumably due to disagreements. Juan Martinez receives a couple of yellow cards after a relatively quiet game.
93 minutes: Two substitutions from Mourinho, with Carlos Espy and Trent Alexander-Arnold replacing Diomande and Arda Güler.
92 minutes: Lamine Yamal goes over under pressure from Cucurella on the edge of the area, but the referee clears it. Adeyemi then powers in a cross that Looney clears out of danger.
“I’m kicking myself for not putting ‘Kneeslide’ on the Mau bingo card,” sighs Peter Oh.
90 minutes: The stadium PA announces five extra minutes as a shocked Barcelona look to score a second equaliser.
It’s the second goal for Kylian Mbappe as Bellingham’s excellent skill puts Camavinga away. It goes beyond a tiring Jubarsi and out past Garcia, allowing Mbappe to roll the ball into an empty net. Mourinho slides down from his knees in joy. He’s back!
PURPOSE! Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid (Mbappe 87′)
As time ran out, Real Madrid launched a deadly counter-attack – and they could have grabbed all three points here!
85 minutes: Karim Adeyemi and Gabriel Jesus replace Gordon and goalscorer Rafinha.
84 minutes: Gordon tackles Guler to stop a potential Real Madrid break and he’s none too happy about being booked. A rare bad call from the referee tonight.
83 minutes: To go back to my earlier, rather weak boxing comparison, Real Madrid are on the ropes – but they could find a knockout punch waiting to fight at half-time with Mbappe and Bellingham.
82 minutes: Gordon puts a sweet pass into Lamy’s path but his shot is blocked by Cucurella, who tracks it down well 20 yards out there.
81 minutes: Lamine Yamal, now suddenly everywhere, whips a shot at goal but it is inadvertently blocked by Dean Huijsen’s shot.
80 minutes: De Jong’s snap-shot is blocked and Real Madrid deal with the next turn. Bernardo Silva’s race is running; he was replaced by Eduardo Kamavinga.
78 minutes: At the other end, Lamine Yamal comes close again, dances outside his marker and beats an effort wide with the edge of his boot.
76 minutes: Another Real break, albeit the first for a while, is managed by Mbappe and ends with Gerard Martin’s masterful tackle from Bellingham. He and Kubarsi were left to fend for themselves in the heart of Barca’s defence.
Email from Colin Fordham regarding this interesting clash of styles. “After Mbappe’s rather lucky goal and Real Madrid’s impressive defensive effort inspired by Mourinho, it was refreshing to see some clean football, including Bellingham, who pressed Barca’s players to the nth degree. Pedri’s trick and pass to Rafinha and the Brazilian’s finish were superb.”
75 minutes: Dumfries look for Mbappe up top but Garcia is off his line to deal with the ball.
73 minutes: Almost a moment of magic from Lamine Yamal as he plays in a cross with the edge of his boot and it goes wide of Raphinha’s far post. Barcelona make another change, Frenkie De Jong replacing Fermin Lopez.
72 minutes: Bernardo Silva is booked for a foul in midfield. Barça looked the better team in the first hour, but Real Madrid are starting to tire.
71 minutes: Arda Güler has another drive from the edge of the area, a low fizzer behind Garcia. I’m not sure if the laughs are excited, nervous, or a mix of the two.
70 minutes: Still, I think Jose might see it differently.
69 minutes: Balde takes a corner but Mbappe goes for a handball. The ball definitely hit Balde’s arm before it went under him, but it would have been harsh to give that away with both players pushing each other.
68 minutes: Dumfries comes down the right and his shot at Mbappe is cleared behind by Balde. Real Madrid took a corner kick…
66 minutes: The xG for this game currently stands at 0.96-0.86 in favor of Barcelona. So 1-1 seems like a fair score line.
65 mins: Big save! Barca win another corner, met by Gerard Martin’s header six yards out – but Lunin clears it off the line to equalise!
63 minutes: First change for the visitors, Denzel Dumfries replaces right-back Fede Valverde. Arda Güler takes aim from distance and forces Garcia into a clumsy save combination.
PURPOSE! Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid (Raphinha 61′)
It’s played short and Pedri makes a nice reverse pass inside for Raphinha, who shoots between Bellingham’s legs. Lunin aids her in her effort, but she has too much power. After a heated first hour, Barcelona equalized!
60 minutes: Gordon hits a low ball down court, Cucurella cleans it up behind him with undue haste. And from the corner…
59 minutes: It looks like Diomande’s calf problem could be caused by a challenge from Joao Cancelo, which is better news than a muscle injury.