FC Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: El Clasico welcomes Bellingham by humming “Hey Jude” as the Englishman scores a brace to help Madrid stage a comeback

Real Madrid has defeated FC Barcelona at their home, in Estadi Olimpic, in one of the memorable football games of this season, as Jude Bellingham wreaked havoc in the ranks of Barca, scoring a brace, with the winner at stoppage time, after Gundogan scores in his debut El Clasico.

Fermin starts, possible comebacks lined up

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid always promises to be a thrilling encounter. Between two of the best sides in the Spanish league, who have won everything in their history, it has been a sweet headache for both tacticians to start a potent eleven. With several heavyweights on the bench for the defending La Liga champions Barcelona, Xavi had to look to his academy players as his last resort, but these youngsters seemed to have turned up big quite brilliantly in the absence of big names in the form of Lewandowski, Frenkie and Pedri. La Masia has always been a powerhouse of talents, with several big names showing their meteoric rise through the ranks of the club, ranging from Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. In recent days, when top players are sidelined, several new names are being reinforced in the squad for Barcelona, as Marc Guiu, the 17-year old prodigy, who has decided to embark upon his senior team journey by scoring the winner against Athletic Bilbao last weekend.

As a result, Xavi had decided to start one of the potent stars from La Masia in the line-up, as Fermin Lopez, the 20-year old boy who has showcased his mettle against arch rivals Madrid in their pre-season friendly clash on the American soil, was slated to play his first official Clasico. Xavi had opted for a different formation of 3-4-1-2 with three defenders on their squad, as Inigo, Christensen and Araujo were shouldering responsibilities of guarding the wall. Their midfield comprised a mixed extravagance of youth and experience with Balde, Gundogan, Gavi and Cancelo on the line-up, as Fermin, Felix and Ferran were spearheading the attack. Barca’s seasoned attacker Lewandowski and Raphinha were named in the squad too.

As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti had opted for a 4-1-3-2 formation, with Rodrygo and Vinicius instrumental in leading the attack, with Bellingham, Kroos and Valverde on assisting the strikers. Defensive duties were vested upon Alaba, Rudiger, Mendy and Carvajal.

Gundogan scores in his first clasico

Ilkay Gundogan, the seasoned midfielder from Manchester City, whose offensive runs and dribbling prowess was talk of the town in England, was instrumental in achieving the lead for Barcelona. It came in the starting of the game, when the clock struck seven minutes, as “Gundo” proved why he is called a maestro in the midfield. A little slump from Real defenders coupled with an assist from Torres, as Gundo decided for a little give-and-go with his former City teammate, but Tchouameni decided to go for clearance. Alaba was unable to clear it with a slide, but the former City skipper burst into the area with a flashy side-foot to fire the lead past Kepa.

Lewandowski and Raphinha made their comeback in the field after staying few weeks away on the sidelines, with a rousing applause at Estadi Olimpic, as Lamine Yamal was introduced into the fiery game, becoming the youngest ever to play this intense clash.

Bellingham scores, makes electric impact in rivalry

Real Madrid’s latest recruit Jude Bellingham, one of the stars from Borussia Dortmund, has been on fire this season. He has scored in almost every game for “Los Blancos”, and has opened his account in his first Clasico. He was silenced in the first half by Barca’s prodigal Gavi, but once he got the ball, it was the prime Bellingham which has been the talk of the town since the beginning of this season. Bellingham’s goal was a screamer from outside the box, after a rare fumble from Fermin’s head, which fell into Jude’s feet, as he outclassed Barca’s defense to fox Ter Stegen into restoring parity, thus poising the game for a climactic finish.

Its Bellingham again as he fires the winner

Jude Bellingham- the former Borussia Dortmund star, showcased his class and mettle once again as he scored in the dying minutes of the game, to kill the fixture for both sides. It seemed that it was destined for Jude to finish off the game, in the dying minutes. It was the skipper Carvajal who passed the ball to an unmarked Luka Modric, whose bounding touch sent the ball over Inigo’s head. Bellingham was in the right place, right time, as he tapped in the ball through the legs of Ter Stegen, completing an unbelievable turnaround, stunning Montjuic into unwavering sadness, reminiscing the famous cricket commentator Richie Benaud’s words, “He has done him between his legs”.

With this victory, Real cement their position at the top of the table, going four points clear of Barcelona, as Bellingham extends his scoring streak.

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