FC Barcelona has made history. For the first time since the 1982 season, they have beaten Real Madrid four times in a season.
The new Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, has been a revelation this season. The way they operate in offence and have managed to create a comeback on so many different occasions after being two goals down needs to be studied.
But doing so against a team like Real Madrid, that too on four different occasions and three different competitions, just speaks volume of the character that this young team has shown.
Barcelona thrash Real Madrid again
Other than the first league encounter, the stakes have been really high every time the two sides have faced each other. Their second encounter was in the final of the Spanish Super Cup, and Barcelona beat Madrid 5-2.
Then came the Copa del Rey final, where the Blaugranas were heading towards a certain defeat by 1-2 until Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres brought them back from the dead, and Jules Kunde sealed the win with a shot from outside the box.
Then came the penultimate game of the La Liga. With just 4 points separating Barca and Madrid, this game would be the title decider. Both teams played in the same fashion.
Madrid was off the blocks quickly with a goal from the spot. A mix-up between young Cubasi and old Wojciech Szczęsny led to a penalty, which Mbappe buried with ease.
The second goal was a masterclass in counterattacking football, something Madrid has been known for over the years. Mbappe’s pace was once again the reason the Los Blancos went 2-0 ahead in just 14 minutes.
Barca makes comeback against Madrid
In those opening 15 minutes, there was a clear distinction between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. While Barcelona was chasing the game, Madrid was leading it by finding the right passes and even finishing the chances.
Suddenly, the tides changed. Four minutes later, Barcelona was on the attack, and their right back, Eric Garcia, put them on the scoresheet with a crucial header.
Later, Lamine Yamal decided to step up to the occasion. A good linkup play between Pedri, Olmo, and Yamal saw the youngster get a good opportunity, and he was too good to miss. In the 32nd minute, the game was already 2- 2.
Barcelona carried the momentum forward, with Raphinha stepping up for his team like he had throughout the season. A great through ball from Ferran Torres put him in a great position, and the result was a 34th-minute goal.
The Brazillian doubled his tally for the half with another great goal in the 45th minute. Once again, the linkup play with Ferran Torres created an opportunity, and Barcelona’s number 11 was too good to miss it. With this goal, he took his goals to 18 for the season in La Liga.
Real Madrid did manage to score a goal in the second half, but a comeback never looked on the cards. If anything, the home side was posing a constant threat to the Madrid goal.
Yamal and Fermin Lopez even managed to find the back of the net in the second half, but the officials ruled both goals out. However, Barcelona still managed to hold on to a slender lead of one goal to register their fourth win against Real Madrid this season.
With this win, they scored 17 goals against Madrid this season and only conceded 7 in return.
This victory also almost seals the lead title to their name. 2 more points from the next three games or a loss for Real Madrid will see Barca lift the trophy after 2 years.
