Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid summary: Barça champions, score, goals, highlights | LaLiga 2025/26
Goals from Rashford and Ferran secured a comfortable Clásico win and the LaLiga title with four games to spare for Barça.
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El Clásico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid in LaLiga, live updates
Pedri: "We wanted to do it for Flick"
On being champions: “It feels incredible, here in a Clásico, dominating. They had very few chances.”
On El Clásico: “It had barely ever been done in history, so it's really special.”
On Flick: “We wanted to do it for him and for the loss of his father. This is dedicated to him.”
Cubarsí: "We want more"
On being champions: “Until it’s mathematically confirmed, you don’t feel like champions, but the team has done a spectacular job.”
On El Clásico: “For our fans, it’s special. Even more so if you can win the league like that.”
On Flick: “We dedicate this to all of his family, who are going through difficult times.”
On the Barcelona fans: “They’ve been there through the good times and the bad. With this stadium and these supporters, we’re going to give everything. Sometimes it will go well, other times not so well.”
Same again next season? “No, because we want more. We’re hungry and we want to win everything.”
Celebrations: “With my family, friends, and teammates.”
Gerard Piqué joins Barcelona celebrations
Gerard Piqué has only ever posted two TikTok videos, today and yesterday, and this is the most recent one. The Barça legend recreated his iconic celebration after winning a Clásico 6-2 in 2009.
Raphinha the ultra, a fine for Fermín?
Raphinha isn't messing about in these celebrations. And Fermín López had better hope the Spotify Camp Nou groundsman doesn't see this video of him kicking lumps out of the goal posts.
As we said, Barcelona can get to 100 points this season. If that sounds like a lot, then that's because it is. They're 14 points clear of Real Madrid, which is also a huge gap, although it's not quite the biggest in LaLiga history.
Dane is here to explainthe record Barça will be chasing in the last four games, and the one Madrid will be desperate to avoid.
Flick: "I will never forget this day"
“Sorry, I have to speak in English. It was a tough game and I will never forget this day. I want to thank the squad, the president, the vice president, and everyone who supported us. In the end, the most important thing is that I’m very proud to have such a great team. Thank you for that desire to fight for all 90 minutes. We have to celebrate it. Visca Barça and Visca Catalunya.”
Araújo: "This title belongs to all of you"
“First of all, we’re LaLiga champions! Thank you all for your support. This title belongs to all of you too. Thanks as well to everyone who works at the club every single day. We have a very young team, full of talent and courage. We know what it means to wear this badge.”
Spotify Camp Nou in full party mode
The celebrations are in full flow out on the pitch, although they're briefly paused for captain Ronald Araújo and Hansi Flick to address the fans.
Raphinha: "Flick is like a father to me"
On being champions: “At the start of the season, our goal was to win titles, so winning LaLiga has to be celebrated. We had a great season.”
The key to winning LaLiga: “Everyone goes through difficult moments. It’s about knowing how to bounce back from them. This team has shown it knows how to do that. We were spectacular.”
On Flick: “We always say football gives you a second family. Flick is like a father to me. He made me believe in myself.”
De Jong: "There's a lot of freedom, that's how we show our quality"
On being champions: “Every title is special. This one even more so because you win it against Real Madrid and at home.”
On Flick: “Very important. He has very clear ideas. But there’s also a lot of freedom for the players. That’s how we show our quality.”
Not wanting more: “Every title you win has to be celebrated to the fullest. Especially a league title. We’ve been the best team in Spain. Of course we want the Champions League too.”
Several Barça stars have spoken to various media since the final whistle, we'll get their words to you in the next few minutes.
Hansi Flick transforms Barcelona
Real Madrid won LaLiga by 10 points ahead of Barcelona in 2023-24. Since then Hansi Flick has revitalised the Catalans, not just winning two leagues but winning them with a brand of soccer than is incredibly easy on the eye. The Champions League will be his next big assignment next season.
Who has won more LaLiga titles: Barcelona or Real Madrid?
It's a 29th title for the Catalans, who still trail Real Madrid, who have 36. The gap, however, is getting smaller...
Barcelona lift the LaLiga trophy!
And there it is, Ronald Araújo, the club captain, is last to pick up his miniature replica and first to get his hands on the real thing. He hoists it to the sky to huge cheers from the fans inside Spotify Camp Nou!
Barça stars get LaLiga trophy replicas
As a result of securing the LaLiga, each player gets a miniature replica of the actual LaLiga trophy. The real one is coming in a second or two...
Barcelona continue perfect home record in Clásico win
A 2-0 victory with relatively little fuss to seal the deal. That's 18 wins out of 18 for Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou this season. It would be a shame for them to ruin it in the final game, which will see them host Real Betis on May 17.
Hansi Flick hoisted to the sky!
The Barcelona players have wasted no time in making Hansi Flick the center of the celebrations! The German is hoisted to the air and thrown towards the sky by his team. A second LaLiga title in two seasons for the German, who we have to remember lost his father in the early hours of this morning.
BARCELONA ARE 2025-26 LALIGA CHAMPIONS!
They'e done it! Back-to-back league titles for Barcelona, who are now 14 points clear of Real Madrid with just 12 left on the table!
Fulltime: Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid
And that's it! No injury time whatsoever as referee Hernández Hernández decides to put Real Madrid out of their misery early. Barcelona are champions!
Lamine Yamal in a Barcelona shirt!
Don't get too excited. The injured winger isn't coming on, he's just getting set to flood the field with the rest of the Barcelona staff,ready to celebrate a league title!
Vinícius threatens down the left but his cross is intercepted and Cancelo adds insult to injury by back-heeling his way out of trouble, much to the delight of Barcelona fans.
Asencio tries a switch of play for Fran García, but sticks it at least three meters over his head as it sails out of play. That pretty much sums up Real Madrid at the moment.
Barcelona sub
On: Balde
Off: Fermín
There are just over five minutes to go, I think we can safely say Barcelona are going to be LaLiga champions in the time it takes you to play a couple of Olivia Rodrigo songs.
Lewandowski denied by Courtois!
Barcelona's subs have given them some extra attacking impetus! Lewandowski finds space in the box for a shot, and that usually only ends in one way. This time, though, he shoots straight at Courtois, who awkwardly shovels the ball round the post for a second time.
Yellow cards: Trent and Raphinha
A yellow card apiece for Trent and Raphinha after some handbags following a foul by Fermín. Trent wasn't happy with the Barcelona midfielder for pulling his jersey, and ended up shoving Raphinha, who fell to the ground after racing across to remonstrate with the Englishman.
Trent pings a lovely ball in behind the Barcelona defense looking for Vini, but it's slightly overhit and runs through to Joan García.
Real Madrid subs
On: Palacios, Mastantuono
Off: Brahim, Gonzalo García
Barcelona almost in!
Raphinha does well to pull the ball out of the sky but his touch is slightly heavy and Asencio can intercept. If the Barça man had been able to take it under his control, he had teammates streaming towards goal.
Barcelona sub
On: Lewandowski
Off: Ferran Torres
Real Madrid have definitely stepped things up a bit in the last 10 minutes or so, much of which has been played in the Barça half. It might be too little, too late though.
Tchouaméni header deflected over!
Madrid win a corner and Tchouaméni gets his head to Trent's delivery. He gets a decent contract on it but it takes a flick off Éric García on its way over.
The subsequent corner is cleared to safety with little fuss.
Raphinha is back!
A sublime piece of control from Barça's Brazilian, who looked as if he had no chance of getting onto Fermín overhit pass but somehow managed to pull it under his spell using his shoulder.
Real Madrid sub
On: Thiago Pitarch
Off: Camavinga
Asencio to the rescue
Barcelona hadn't gone forward for a few minutes, but they did there, and Madrid needed a fine tackle from Asencio to prevent Fermín from having a clear view of goal.
Excellent defending from Gerard Martín, who gets a huge ovation for preventing Brahim from skipping past him in the box.
Joan García saved from Vinícius!
Vinícius escapes the attentions of Éric García and is one-on-one with Joan García! The Brazilian tries to lift the ball over the Barça keeper, who sticks his hand out like an octopus to claw the ball out for a corner.
Barcelona subs: Raphinha returns!
On: Raphinha, De Jong
Off: Rashford, Olmo
Bellingham goal disallowed!
Madrid have the ball in the net! Trent's corner is cleared to Brahim, whose clipped cross is bundled in by Bellingham. The England midfielder is clearly offside, though. No goal.
Madrid win a corner, though, and Trent will get another chance.
Or maybe not. Trent balloons his delivery to the far post and the attack fizzles out.
A chance for Madrid to put some pressure on Joan García as Brahim wins a free kick out on the right.
Real Madrid haven't threatened at all so far in the second half. Barcelona are in complete control of this game.
Ferran Torres shot saved!
Almost a third for Barcelona! Ferran goes clean through and sizes up his options, but his shot across goal is tipped wide Courtois!
Bellingham yellow card
That's an absurd yellow card. Bellingham is booked for coming back onto the field of play before he was told to by the referee, and from the wrong position.
Bellingham down in the box
Bellingham breaks into a good position in the box but doesn't get the ball under control. He goes down as if he's been elbowed by Éric García, who did appear to brush the Madrid man, who has a small cut on his face. Although it certainly didn't look intentional.
Yellow cards for Asencio and Olmo
Asencio is pulled up for a foul on Ferran but keeps playing when everyone else has stopped, and puts the ball in the net, with Joan García not even trying to save it.
Olmo remonstrates with the Madrid man and ends up pushing him, which brings a number of other players over. It settles down again just as quickly, with Asencio and Olmo the two players booked.
Flashpoint!
It's taken 48 minutes, but we got there!
Busy Courtois
Barcelona are straight on the attack and Courtois is forced into action three times inside a minute and a half! First, he collects Éric García's cross, then beats away a low Rashford cross before bizarrely scooping Fermín's low shot just past the post, when it looked as if he should've caught it.
Second half underway in Barcelona!
Right, we're off again for the second half! Can Madrid somehow find a way back into this or are Barcelona going to seal the deal in style?
Olivia Rodrigo: Barcelona fan
And here's Olivia Rodrigo herself, proving that she's been a massive ‘culer’ forever and that just wants Real Madrid to “Drop Dead.”
Yes, I went there.
What's going on with Barcelona's sponsor?
In case you wondered what happened to Spotify, Barcelona's normal shirt sponsor, then there's a somewhat reasonable explanation for it. And yes, the ‘OR’ scribbled across the front of their jersey is related to Olivia Rodrigo, if that's what you were thinking.
Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid: Halftime thoughts
Real Madrid had plenty of attacks in the first half, although you never really felt they were going to score. Gonzalo García's opportunity was perhaps the exception, although even the young striker didn’t appear convinced he would find the net, skewing horribly wide.
Barcelona’s forays forward had more zip and carried more of a threat. Rashford’s early free kick settled any nerves and it only took them nine minutes to double their advantage thanks to a brilliant team goal from Ferran Torres.
Madrid reacted reasonably well but look considerably blunter in attack, despite being given opportunities to venture into the Barça box.
Rashford and Olmo had big chances to add a third, which would also certainly kill the game off, and secure a second successive LaLiga title for the Catalans.
Barcelona sliding towards the LaLiga title
Barcelona only need a draw to clinch the LaLiga title, but it looks as if they're going to do it in style. It's a long way back from 2-0 down for Real Madrid.
Halftime: Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid
Goals from Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres have Barcelona cruising to the LaLiga title!
Rüdiger lumps an aimless ball forward towards Bellingham, which is easily dealt with by the Barcelona defense. Madrid won't get anyway if that's part of their strategy for the rest of the game.
Three minutes of injury time coming.
Pedri toys with Madrid
What a player Pedri is when he's in the mood. He's been in the mood for the last little while, and is next to get an ovation from the home fans as he wriggles away from white jersey with one drop of the shoulder after another.
Real Madrid have had numerous ventures into the box but are just nowhere near as clinical. Camavinga gets into a very threatening position and could shoot, but he opts to pass to Fran García, who rushes a shot instead which is easily blocked.
Camp Nou serenades Hansi Flick
You know you're cruising to the league title when you can chant your coach's name and get a wave back from said coach.
Camavinga yellow card
Olmo is in the thick of things again as Camavinga trods on his foot and gets the first yellow card of the game.
Olmo slices wide!
From the corner, the ball drops to Olmo, who slices his shot wide from inside the box when he probably should've done better!
Rashford so close to a third!
WHAT A PASS FROM FERRAN TORRES! Sensational vision and weight of pass from the former Man City man to send Rashford clean through. The on-loan Man United striker goes across goal but a slight touch from Courtois prevents a third goal!
Speaking of Gonzalo García, the Madrid striker jumps into Cubarsí with an elbow and might be slightly lucky not to have seen yellow, even though he didn't think it was a foul (obviously).
García, García, García, García
There are four Garcías on the field, and I can't decide if that makes life easier for a live blogger or not. Joan and Éric on the Barça side, Fran and Gonzalo for Madrid.
Real Madrid aren't going away, to give them credit. Fran García gets forward into a dangerous position for the first time, but his cross into the box goes between white jerseys.
Tchouaméni shoots wide!
Vinícius escapes down the Madrid left, cuts back and rolls the ball across for Tchouaméni, whose powerful strike flies comfortably wide of the Barça goal.
Spotify Camp Nou reacts to Rashford goal
It's safe to say the Barcelona fans in attendance enjoyed that Marcus Rashford strike very much.
Olés as Barcelona dominate possession
For the first time, Barcelona are starting to dominate the ball. Ominous for the visitors as the olés ring around Spotify Camp Nou.
Barcelona go close!
Olmo gets in behind the Real Madrid defence and has Ferran all alone in the middle, but his pass is slightly overhit and the chance has gone. Oh, and the offside flag eventually went up anyway.
Things are starting to get tasty. Trent has flung himself into a couple of challenges and now Ferran returns the favor. It looked as if our referee thought about a yellow card for the Barça man, but ultimately decided against it.
Rashford almost catches Courtois out!
Courtois has to be alert as Rashford fizzes the ball towards the near post. I'm not quite sure that's what he was trying to do, but it almost came off for the Barça man.
I've just seen a replay of that Gonzalo García opportunity and although Gerard Martín did put him off slightly, the Madrid striker completely miscued when there was no real reason to.
Almost another Madrid chance!
Madrid threaten again. This time, Bellingham races through on the right and tries to pick out Vinícius at the far post, but Eric García gets back to slide the ball out for a corner just in the nick of time.
Gonzalo García misses huge chance!
That should be 2-1! Asencio plays a great pass over the top for Gonzalo García, who takes a couple of nice touches but somehow shoots wide when he should score!
There's not been all that much in it in open play, but it's already looking like Barcelona could run away with it...
Ferran Torres doubles Barça lead!
Fermín López plays a lovely ball behind the Madrid defence for Olmo, who produces a superb back flick into the path of the onrushing Ferran Torres, who lashes past Courtois!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAL BARCELONA! FERRAN TORRES!
Another BRILLIANT goal!
We've not seen too much of Pedri so far, but he's started to get on the ball a lot more in the last couple of minutes, which can only spell trouble for Madrid.
Real Madrid haven't let their heads drop after that early goal. Remember they have to win today, though, to stop a Barça title party.
Tchouaméni heads over
Tchouaméni gets his head to a delivery into the box, but his header flies well over the bar.
What have Real Madrid got in response? They have forced a couple of corners as they look to get back on level terms straight away.
Barcelona take another step towards LaLiga title!
If the result stays the same, Barcelona will be crowned champions! Although I also could've said that at 0-0, to be fair...
Rashford opens the scoring!
It's as pure a strike as you're likely to see from Rashford, who whips it across the face of goal and into the far corner. Although I reckon Courtois will be disappointed to have been beaten from there...
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL BARCELONA! RASHFORD!
Take a bow, what a strike!
Barcelona freekick
A big chance here for Barcelona after Rüdiger wipes Ferran out on the edge of the box. Rashford to take...
Asencio denies Rashford!
That was almost another nightmare for Tchouaméni, whose slack touch allows Rashford to steal the ball off him and race towards goal. It looks as it the forward is going to be clean through but Asencio rushes across to put in a brilliant tackle. Who knew Asencio was that fast?!
Barcelona's first threat!
Almost a big chance for Barça! Fermín gets in behind Trent and is in acres of space out on the left. He tries to find Rashford with a low cross but doesn't quite get enough on it, which allows Fran García to intercept.
Madrid break into the Barça box again and it looks as if Brahim is going to get a shot away, but he dallies too long and the chance has gone.
Vinícius shot easily saved
A first attempt on goal, and it comes from Madrid! Brahim feeds the ball wide to Vini, who cuts in from the left and shoots... Joan García would've thrown his cap on it, if he had one.
A first foray into the Madrid box for Ferran, who thinks he's won a corner from Fran García, but he hasn't.
El Clásico underway!
Real Madrid get us underway, and Courtois immediately launches the ball high and long into the Barcelona half.
Strap yourselves in, we're about to get underway!
A moment's silence in honor of Hansi Flick's father
As I mentioned right at the start of this feed, it was announced hours before kickoff that Hansi Flick's father had died.The German coach is on the Barcelona bench, however.
Barcelona anthem rings round Spotify Camp Nou
The players have emerged from the tunnel and it's time for the Barcelona club anthem.Spine-tingling stuff at Spotify Camp Nou.
JOSEP LAGO / AFP
Who’s the ref for Barcelona vs Real Madrid? And the VAR?
Alejandro Hernández Hernández is the referee for today’s Clásico at Spotify Camp Nou. The official, who will be going to the World Cup this summer, has previously taken charge of five Clásicos.
His first Clásico came in 2015–16, when Real Madrid stunned Barcelona at Camp Nou with goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. The following season, Barcelona turned the tables at the Bernabéu with a 3–2 comeback inspired by Lionel Messi.
The next two Clásicos under his watch ended in draws: 2–2 in 2017–18 and 0–0 in 2019–20, both at Camp Nou. Nearly five years passed before he returned to officiate another, last season’s thrilling 4–3 Barcelona victory.
Javier Iglesias Villanueva is today’s VAR and, the way soccer is going these days, might get as much heat as the on-field referee.
Late change for Real Madrid! Asencio in for Huijsen
It never rains but it pours. Real Madrid are being forced into a late change as Dean Huijsen has suffered an injury in the warmup. The young defender won't play in the end, with Raúl Asencio taking his place.
Madrid will therefore line up like this:
Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Asencio, Fran García; Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Brahim Díaz, Gonzalo García, Vinícius.
With that in mind, the dynamic duo of Sergi and Calum have teamed up to take a look at how Barça can stop Vinícius from pooping their title party.
Real Madrid player to watch: Vinícius Júnior
At the end of a turbulent - to put in mildly - week, it surely wouldn't be a surprise to see Barcelona try to get under the skin of Vinícius. The Brazilian has regularly shown he struggles to contain his emotions when things go against him, and you have to wonder if watching Barça clinch the league title in front of his very eyes could push him over the edge.
Alternatively, in a much more positive sense, he could step up to the plate when his team needs him the most, as he did in Barcelona against Espanyol just a week ago. The winger scored both Real Madrid goals in a 2-0 win, keeping the title race just about alive.
Barcelona player to watch: Marcus Rashford?
With Lamine Yamal out and Raphinha not fully fit, Marcus Rashford will get another chance to prove he is worth a place in the Barcelona squad for next season. The on-loan Manchester United attacker doesn't appear to be have done enough to convince Hansi Flick or anyone at the club yet, but could a title-winning performance change that?
Barcelona team to play Real Madrid: Yamal out, Raphinha returns to bench
Joan García; Éric Garcia, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri; Fermín López, Olmo, Rashford, Ferran Torres.
Ferran again starts up front, with Robert Lewandowski on the bench, alongside the returning Raphinha.
Real Madrid team to play Barcelona: Mbappé and Valverde out
Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Fran García; Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Brahim Díaz, Gonzalo García; Vinícius.
We've got a little over 10 minutes to go until kickoff, so it's probably a good time to take another look at how the teams will line up in today's Clásico.
Real Madrid: last six games
May 3: Espanyol 0-2 Real Madrid
April 24: Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid
April 21: Real Madrid 3-1 Alavés
April 15: Bayern Munich 4-3 Real Madrid
April 10: Real Madrid 1-1 Girona
April 7: Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich
Real Madrid's ups and downs
Thibaut Courtois' expression here sums up how things have been going for Real Madrid in the last little while.
Madrid have taken seven points from the last nine available in the league, but they've also dropped points in three of their last five LaLiga fixtures, and four of the last nine. Combined with Barcelona’s relentless winning streak, and it can only spell bad news for Los Blancos.
In all competitions, Madrid have only won two of their last seven games, three of which they’ve lost. Ouch.
Barcelona’s perfect home form
We touched on it a little earlier, but here's a bit more detail. Barcelona have won all 17 of their home games in LaLiga and must beat Real Madrid today and Real Betis on May 17 to complete a perfect run.
It has been done before in LaLiga, on several occasions, but not since Real Madrid in 1985-86. No club has ever done it by winning 19 games, with previous examples of it being done occurring when the league had fewer teams in it, and therefore fewer games.
Barcelona: last six games
May 5: Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona
April 25: Getafe 0-2 Barcelona
April 22: Barcelona 1-0 Celta
April 14: Atlético Madrid 1-2 Barcelona
April 11: Barcelona 4-1 Espanyol
April 8: Barcelona 0-2 Atlético Madrid
Barcelona's blistering LaLiga form
Barcelona have been in absolutely blistering form of late, at least in LaLiga. Flick's team have won their last 10 games in the league, which has seen them surge ahead at the top. They last dropped points in a 2-1 defeat to Girona on February 16.
They’ve only lost one game since then, but it was a a big one - that 2-0 home defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals that they were unable to overcome In the second leg.
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS
Real Madrid’s Champions League failure: Number 16 fades into the distance
Arbeloa didn’t fare much better in his first game in the Champions League. A 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the final league phase game forced Real Madrid into the Champions League playoffs against the same opponents rather than direct qualification for the round of 16.
They squeezed past the Portuguese side and then crushed Manchester City in the round of 16, easily the best performances of Arbeloa’s tenure (so far). However, a home defeat to Bayern Munich left them with a mountain to climb in the quarterfinals and they failed to reach the peak, losing a modern-day Champions League classic 4-3 in Germany.
Adios.
JOSEMA MORENO / DIARIO AS
Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey humiliation in Arbeloa’s first game
Arbeloa really couldn’t have got off to a worse start after taking over from Alonso on January 13. Like, really.
Madrid, who rested some first-team stars but had Valverde, Vinicius and Arda Güler in their starting lineup, suffered a shocking Copa del Rey exit at the hands of second-tier team Albacete in the round of 16. The manner of the defeat was equally galling, with Albacete netting an injury-time winner seconds after Gonzalo García thought he had forced extra time.
Real Madrid beat Barcelona in first LaLiga meeting
Things appeared to be looking up for Madrid under Alonso early on. Although the on-field play wasn't scintillating, they were regularly getting the job done, a familiar trait. Los Merengues won 10 of their first 11 LaLiga games, which included a 2-1 win over Barcelona in the first Clásico of the season at the end of October.
Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham found the net either side of a Fermín López strike, with all the goals coming in the first half. No further scoring after halftime means Madrid took a five-point advantage at the top of the table into November, although it wouldn’t last much longer.
Real Madrid: the 2025-26 LaLiga season so far
It's been a really odd LaLiga campaign, who were top of the table as recently as February 20, despite sacking their first manager of the season, Xabi Alonso, in January.
The former Bayer Leverkusen coach was dismissed on January 12 after the 3-2 Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona, which followed a run of five straight wins in all competitions. Madrid were four points off the top of the table, not insurmountable, although bad vibes among the players seemed to be Alonso’s biggest problem.
A little over a month later, Arbeloa guided Los Blancos into first place, but a 2-1 defeat to Osasuna saw them surrender top spot a week later. Further losses to Getafe and Mallorca, as well as draws against Girona and Real Betis, have seen Madrid fall a whopping 11 points adrift of Barça, who have barely put a foot wrong in months.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 | 34 | 29 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 77 | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | 69 | 35 | 21 | 6 | 8 |
| 4 | 63 | 35 | 19 | 6 | 10 |
| 5 | 54 | 35 | 13 | 15 | 7 |
JAVIER SORIANO / AFP
Barcelona’s Champions League failure
Yes, that’s right, it was Atlético who also dumped Barcelona out of the Champions League over two legs. The tie, however, couldn’t have been more different, with Diego Simeone’s team doing the hard work away from home, securing a surprise 2-0 win in Catalonia.
This time, Barça went to Madrid and won, but again come up a goal short having brief levelled the aggregate score in the first half.
Mariscal / EFE
Barça's cup disappointments vs Atlético
Domestically, Barcelona were seen as favourites to lift the Copa del Rey after Real Madrid’s early exit, only to suffer a stunning 4-0 thrashing away to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the semifinals. In the return game, they went 3-0 up with 20 minutes still to play but were unable to find a leveler, let alone a winner in the closing stages. Out.
In Europe. Barça qualified directly for the last 16 of the Champions League after finishing in the top eight of the league phase. After a 1-1 draw away to Newcastle, Flick’s side thumped the Premier League team 7-2 at Spotify Camp Nou to progress to the quarterfinals with plenty to spare. However, they came undone in the very next round, the quarterfinals, against familiar opposition no less…
Barcelona: the 2025-26 LaLiga season so far
Barcelona have won 29 of their 34 LaLiga games to date, with sporadic defeats mingling among relentless winning streaks. Barça's worst sequence of results saw them lose the first Clásico of the season to Real Madrid three weeks after suffering a shock 4-1 humbling at the hands of Sevilla. Flick’s side has also lost to Real Sociedad and Girona, with all four losses coming in road games. They have a perfect record in 17 home games in LaLiga.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 | 34 | 29 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 77 | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | 69 | 35 | 21 | 6 | 8 |
| 4 | 63 | 35 | 19 | 6 | 10 |
| 5 | 54 | 35 | 13 | 15 | 7 |
How Hansi Flick can join Barcelona legends
Hansi Flick is on the brink of winning the LaLiga title in each of his first two seasons in charge of Barcelona. Who else has achieved that feat?
Well, it turns out six men have already beaten the German to it, and four of them are pretty recent. Enrique Fernández (1948, 1949), Helenio Herrera (1959, 1960), Louis van Gaal (1998, 1999), Luis Enrique (2015, 2016) and Ernesto Valverde (2018, 2019) all started with back-to-back league titles at Barcelona, while Pep Guardiola went one better, winning three successive championships immediately after taking the job. (2009, 2010, 2011).
Real Madrid’s remaining LaLiga fixtures
May 10: Barcelona vs Real Madrid
May 14: Real Madrid vs Real Oviedo
May 17: Sevilla vs Real Madrid
Weekend of May 24: Real Madrid vs Athletic
Barcelona’s remaining LaLiga fixtures
May 10: Barcelona vs Real Madrid
May 13: Alavés vs Barcelona
May 17: Barcelona vs Real Betis
Weekend of May 24: Valencia vs Barcelona
How El Clásico almost decided the LaLiga title
El Clásico has proved vitally important in several title races over the years, but neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid has ever been confirmed as champions at the final whistle of one.
Sergi and Calum have taken a look at the closest we've come to title-clinching Clásicos in the past.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: LaLiga title permutations
A little reminder for anyone who's just joined us, as we’ve been through a lot since we last mentioned it. Barcelona have the opportunity to clinch the LaLiga title in a game against Real Madrid for the first time in Clásico history. And you’d have to say they’re favorites to do so.
Barça will be crowned LaLiga champions if they avoid defeat today, it’s that simple.
Madrid, meanwhile, have to win at Spotify Camp Nou, pick up maximum points in their three remaining games after today’s and hope Barcelona take no more than one point from the 12 they still have available.
Call me crazy, but I don’t think it’s happening either.
Raphinha return offsets Yamal absence for Barça
Remember Barcelona, who, in case you'd forgotten in among all this Real Madrid nonsense, can actually be crowned LaLiga champions today. That should be the big story, really… It’s not like Madrid to hog the limelight.
There’s both good news and bad for the Catalans. The good news is that Raphinha, who's on the bench, could get some game time after an absence of several weeks because of a hamstring strain. The Brazilian isn’t 100% fit, so we’re very unlikely to see too much of him.
The bad news is that Lamine Yamal is out, also with a torn hamstring (must be contagious). The teenager will miss the rest of Barcelona’s season but is expected to recover to play in the World Cup, although he might not play every game in the group stage.
Andreas Christensen is on the sidelines as well, which is probably fairly indifferent news.
Susana Vera / REUTERS
Mbappé’s deadly goalscoring form
Although it has been far from a vintage season for Real Madrid, Mbappé has certainly done his bit when it’s come to sticking the ball in the net. The former PSG star has scored 41 goals (and created six more) in 41 appearances, including 24 in 28 LaLiga games. With 15 goals in only 11 Champions League appearances, he will finish as that competition’s top scorer, even though Madrid were knocked out in the quarterfinals.
Over 73 million ‘fans’ want Mbappé out of Real Madrid
Well, I use the term ‘fans’ loosely here. After it was revealed Mbappé couldn’t be bothered to watch Espanyol vs Real Madrid, an online petition was launched demanding the Frenchman leave the club this summer. To date, over 73 million ‘fans,’ have signed it, although you suspect that might just include a number of mischievous followers of other clubs, including some Catalans.
A Clásico without Mbappé
Mbappé hasn't endered himself to anyone at Real Madrid recently by choosing to go on holiday to Italy with his girlfriend, Spanish actress Ester Expósito, just as he was completing his recovery from a hamstring tear. The France captan infamously landed in Madrid just 12 minutes before his teammates kicked off their last league game against Espanyol, which many thought wasn’t a great sign of his commitment to the cause.
For most of the week, it looked as if Mbappé would be fit enough for a place on the bench, although that ultimately isn't the case. The forward has been left at home, with Madrid opting not to risk him.
JAVIER GANDUL / DIARIO AS
Mbappé and Valverde headline Madrid absentees
As well as Valverde, Arbeloa will also be without Kylian Mbappé (hamstring tear), Rodrygo (ACL tear), Eder Militão (hamstring tear), Arda Güler (hamstring injury), Ferland Mendy (tendon rupture) and Dani Carvajal (hairline crack in foot) at Spotify Camp Nou.
With the exception of Mendy, you could make a strong case for all of those players starting, so Madrid really find themselves in a spot of bother when it comes to team selection, as well as indiscipline.
More on Mbappé in a sec.
Barcelona team to play Real Madrid: Ferran starts, Lewandowski benches
And this is the Barcelona team that will look to make Clásico history against Real Madrid!:
Joan García; Éric Garcia, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Cancelo; Gavi, Pedri; Fermín López, Olmo, Rashford, Ferran Torres.
Ferran again starts up front, with Robert Lewandowski on the bench, alongside the returning Raphinha.
Real Madrid team to play Barcelona: Tchouaméni starts, Vini captains!
And if you were wondering whether Tchouaméni would be playing against Barcelona, I can confirm that he is! This is how Madrid will line up at Spotify Camp Nou:
Courtois; Trent, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Fran García; Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Brahim Díaz, Gonzalo García; Vinícius.
Vini will, unusually, captain Real Madrid against Barça.
Real Madrid explain Valverde injury
Our Joe, who had busy old time on Thursday, was also on hand to rustle this article up, which contains the Real Madrid statement (yes, there have been a few this week) explaining Valverde's injury and absence.
THOMAS COEX / AFP
Valverde ruled out of El Clásico
That brings us back nicely on to the entire reason we are here today, which is El Clásico, you know the actual game of soccer that’s taking place.
Valverde would have been nailed on to start the game, but as the term “cranioencephalic trauma” (a brain injury ranging from mild concussion to a life-threatening situation) suggests, he won’t be involved. The Uruguayan is expected to be sidelined for 10 to 14 days, so he’ll be at home watching the game, if his black eye allows it.
JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA / DIARIO AS
Tchouaméni statement on Valverde fight
After the punishment had been handed down, Tchouaméni broke his silence regarding the bust-up on social media (where else):
“What happened this week at training is unacceptable. I say this thinking also of the example we must set for the young players, both on the pitch and at school. No matter who is right or wrong, we must always seek the calmest solution to resolve a conflict.
"I am especially sorry for the image projected by the club. I know that the fans, the staff, my teammates, and the management are deeply disappointed by the way this season has unfolded. But frustration cannot excuse everything. These incidents, even if they can happen in any locker room, are not worthy of Real Madrid. All the more so because Real Madrid is the club talked about the most in the world.
"The internet loves inventing the wildest stories to create buzz, so don’t believe everything that’s said or the false narratives.
"Today, it’s no longer the time to look for who did what, who said what, or who was right or wrong. I accept the club’s sanction. We remain a family, with occasional disagreements, but we must always put the club’s objectives above everything else. I have apologized to the group and I also want to extend my apologies to all Madridistas.
"It is now time to move forward. All our focus is on the Clásico and the season ahead, to bring the club back to its place, at the top.”
Real Madrid duo Valverde and Tchouaméni express “complete remorse”
In the statement mentioned in the last post, Real Madrid also revealed Valverde and Tchouaméni had apologised to one another, the club, their teammates, the coaching staff and the fans, and expressed “complete remorse” for what had happened.
Check out the full statement via this piece from the one and only Joe Brennan.
Valverde and Tchouaméni hit hard in the pocket by Real Madrid
You won't be surprised to read that Real Madrid chiefs, headed by president Florentino Pérez, are fuming with the midfield duo. On Friday, the club released a statement explaining both players would have to pay a whopping €500,000 (almost $590,000) fine, but there would no sporting punishment for either. Neither has therefore been suspended from playing by the club.
How the Tchouaméni vs Valverde fight unfolded
Here's a more detailed look at how the fight between Tchouaméni and Valverde unfolded, according to AS sources. Their explanation of the incident differed significantly to how the Uruguayan described events in an Instagram post on Thursday.
DAN MULLAN MICHAEL REAVES / AFP
Real Madrid’s locker room chaos: Tchouaméni and Valverde fight
In case you’ve been living on the moon for the last few days, things haven’t exactly been rosy in the Real Madrid dressing room of late. Actually, that might the understatement of the century.
On Wednesday, it was reported that Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni had had cross words with one another. Things threatened to spiral out of control, but didn’t.
They did, however, in Thursday’s training session, when the midfield duo were at each other once again. This time, things got physical. Different versions of events have emerged, from Tchouaméni knocking Valverde unconscious with a single punch, to the Frenchman striking the Uruguayan, causing him to hit his head on the way down, to Valverde slipping and banging his head off a table, with no punches being thrown.
Either way, Valverde ended up being taken to hospital, diagnosed with “cranioencephalic trauma” and given stitches to a head wound after the incident.
Real Madrid squad news: Mbappé and Valverde among big-name absentees
Out: Kylian Mbappé (hamstring tear), Fede Valverde (head injury) Rodrygo (ACL tear), Eder Militão (hamstring tear), Arda Güler (hamstring injury), Ferland Mendy (tendon rupture) and Dani Carvajal (hairline crack in foot)
We'l go into Real Madrid’s absences, especially those of Mbappé and Valverde, in plenty of detail in just a moment. There’s been rather a lot going on in the Spanish capital this week…
Barcelona squad news: Yamal out, Raphinha returns
Out: Lamine Yamal (hamstring tear), Andreas Christensen (partial ACL tear)
Raphinha is expected to return after several weeks on the sidelines, although because of a hamstring issue.
How many LaLiga titles have Barcelona and Real Madrid won?
Only nine teams have ever won LaLiga and you won't be even a tiny bit surprised to learn Real Madrid and Barcelona lead the way by a huge margin. Los Blancos have 36 championships to their name, while Barça are on 28. We suspect the gap will be closed by one before too much longer, even if it’s not today.
The majestic Calum Roche has taken a detailed look at all of LaLiga's campeonesin the competition's history.
LaLiga tiebreakers: What happens if teams finish level on points?
If, and it's a huge if, Madrid were to win their last four games and Barcelona were to pick up a solitary point, that would leave the teams locked on 89 points. In that case, Los Blancos would be crowned champions due to having the better head-to-head record in games between the teams this season.
Real Madrid won 2-1 in the first league Clásico of the season and have to win today to have any chance of that scenario playing out. Not that anyone's clutching at straws.
Can Real Madrid still win LaLiga?
You may chuckle at the question, but Real Madrid fans will insist it's no laughing matter. Mathematically, Madrid can still do it (otherwise Barcelona would already be champions). However, and this is the key word, Álvaro Arbeloa’s team need to win last four remaining games, including today’s, and hope Barça collect no more than one point from theirs.
Realistically, it’s almost certainly not going to happen, no matter the outcome at Spotify Camp Nou today.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 | 34 | 29 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 77 | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | 69 | 35 | 21 | 6 | 8 |
| 4 | 63 | 35 | 19 | 6 | 10 |
| 5 | 54 | 35 | 13 | 15 | 7 |
Hansi Flick’s father dies before El Clásico: Will the Barça coach be on the touchline?
Even if Barcelona do manage to get the job done, their celebrations may well be more subdued than they otherwise might have been. That's down to the sad passing of the father of Hansi Flick, which the club announced on social media seven hours before kickoff.
Flick will, however, be on the touchline for the game.
How Barcelona can clinch the LaLiga title against Real Madrid
Glad you asked back there. Things are simple for Barcelona. All they need to do is avoid defeat in today's Clásico to be officially confirmed LaLiga champions for a second year running. A win, a draw… it doesn’t really matter. However, Hansi Flick’s team will be desperate to seal the title in style and inflict as much misery on Madrid as possible by registering a victory.
Barcelona in LaLiga: as it stands
Barcelona hold a big lead at the top of LaLiga, 11 points to be exact. There are only four games remaining, including this one, indicating that there are just 12 points left on the table.
That, in turn, means only one thing: they have one hand and four fingers on the LaLiga trophy. The missing pinky could well be grasping silverware in a few hours time.
How can they do it?
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88 | 34 | 29 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 77 | 34 | 24 | 5 | 5 |
| 3 | 69 | 35 | 21 | 6 | 8 |
| 4 | 63 | 35 | 19 | 6 | 10 |
| 5 | 54 | 35 | 13 | 15 | 7 |
What time does Barcelona vs Real Madrid kick off?
The game in Barcelona gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time. I make that 3:00 p.m. ET and 12:00 p.m. PT. What better way to wash down your lunch if you're in the east, or whet your appetite if you’re in the west? If you’re somewhere in the middle, que aproveche.
There’s a little over 90 minutes to go until kick-off, stay tuned for some news, stats, facts, and plenty of scandal before the game gets underway.
Hello and welcome to live text coverage of Barcelona vs Real Madrid in LaLiga!
Hello and welcome to live text coverage of the final Clásico of the 2025-26 season, which could be historic! Barcelona have the chance to clinch a second successive LaLiga title against Real Madrid and, let's be honest, the way things have been going for Los Blancos, it would be a a major surprise if they don’t. But, as we know by now, you just never, ever know what a soccer game could have in store. El Clásico has never directly settled a championship race one or another, by the way, so we could be about to witness history.
Thanks for joining me for (almost) every kick off the ball at Spotify Camp Nou.
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