Real Madrid - FC Barcelona summary: El Clásico score, goals, highlights | LaLiga 2024/25

Flick speaks post game

"Today was far from easy and we defended well and stuck true to our game plan".

"After the break, we tried to bring a little more pressure when they had the ball".

"I'm so happy to work at this club and it feels really good at the moment and am so proud of my players tonight and especially for Iñaki who had a great game and he kept a clean sheet".

"We work a lot on how we should defend and this is important when you play against the likes of Real Madrid". 

Barça savour El Clasico win

The Catalan side pose for the traditional post game win.

Plaudits flying in for Iñaki Peña, Casadó and the introduction of Dani Olmo.

The Flick effect

The change to Barça under the German coach is incredible with a team and squad that is by and large the same as the 23-24 season with the new manager adding an intensity and electricity that seemed to be lacking last year. 

In the Champions League game against Bayern, the team put in five km more than the German side with Pedri also recognising that the team are playing in a different gear.

Barcelona outshooting Madrid tonight at the Bernabeu with the Catalan side registering 15 shots to the 9 of Real Madrid.

The visitors also bossed the game in terms of possession too with 42-58 (%). 

Mbappé coming under fire

Kylian Mbappé suffering heavy criticism for his performance tonight with many Madrid fans citing his poor finishing in front of goal where the French striker was thwarted by both Iñaki Peña and the offside flag. 

Barcelona now hold a six point lead at the top of the table on 30 points with Los Blancos on 24.

Pique tweets after Barça demolition

"We are unique They can never be like us. With all the young players from La Masia. What a performance and what pride".

Fair to say Gerard Pique enjoyed that game !

FC Barcelona put Madrid to the sword

That's it. 

All over in the Clasico and what a second half performance from FC Barcelona.

Flick's men came out with a different gear and were worthy winners.

The Catalan side too will be delighted to end Madrid's unbeaten run and deliver their first loss of the LaLiga campaign.

We'll have two minutes of added time and for the tenth time or so Mbappe is denied by Peña who has been immense for Barcelona tonight.

Gavi carded as he wrestles Vinicius back.

One minute remains at the Bernabeu and Barça looking for a fifth with Raphinha almost getting in on the act once again.

Gavi on for Pedri with Garcia replacing Lucas Vazquez.

Militao is carded as he crashes into Lewandowski.

Barça rampant!

5-1 vs Sevilla 

4-1 vs Bayern Munich

0-4 vs Real Madrid (with five on the clock)

what a week for Hansi Flick and his FC Barcelona side.

Iñaki Peña carded as he calls for a card for Vinicus.

Referee not having it and whips out a card for the keeper.

Time ticking and surely too late for an epic 'remontada' (comeback).

Many fans at the Bernabeu now making for the doors.

Real Madrid facing their first LaLiga defeat of the season and the loss would also bring to an end their unbeaten run.

A double whammy for Los Blancos fans !

Vini Jr. now carded as he clashes with Pedri.

Barcelona have been a different proposition in this second half and started the half with an added gear but the introduction of Dani Olmo has been a mini 'game changer' for the visiting side.

Yamal makes it three!

Brahim replaces Camavinga.

Brahim Diaz poised to make an entrance.

Casadó makes an excellent challenge as he robs Vinicius of the ball. Perfectly timed intervention from the Barça defender.

Iñigo Marinez is carded for dangerous play as he collides into Militao.

Dani Olmo has been very sharp in his 10-15 minutes or so since coming on.

A volley of whistles ring out from the home fans as Barcelona retain possession.

Less than 20 minutes remain on the clock at the Bernabeu.

Still a long way to go one feels.

Mbappé is through again and Peña saves well.... but yes... the flag was up!

Will Barcelona rue those Lewandowski misses ?

We could be looking at a 0-4 scoreline but as things stand, a goal for the home side changes the complexion of this game totally.

Bellingham goes close but the ball skips away from the English player.

Kounde fouls Vini Jr. and is carded.

Lewandowski is in again with a fine pass from Yamal but the Polish striker gets under the ball and blazes over from short range.

How did Lewandowski miss that?

The Polish striker had the goal at his mercy but drives the ball off the post. A shocking miss from the two goal hero.

Mbappé has the ball in the net again but is miles offside.

Decent shot from the striker but the offside trap works a treat.

Dani Olmo is on and replaces Casadó.

Second switch of the night for the Barça bench.

Mbappé breaks and is one-on-one with Peña and the keeper stays big to deny the French striker. 

Fine stop from the Barcelona stopper.

Tchouaméni is off and replaced by Modric, first change for Real Madrid.

It's the 450 Barcelona fans who are audible now as they sing the club anthem.

Modric set to make an appearance imminentkly. 

We pass the hour mark as Madrid press and look to peg Barcelona back.

Flick seems to be staying true with the initial game-plan rather than drop deep as was the case with Dortmund on Tuesday night.

The current scoreline also puts Madrid's unbeaten streak in danger.

Los Blancos are currently on a run of 42 games without a loss in LaLiga and looking to draw level to the current record, ironocally held ny tonight's opponents FC Barcelona.

Still plenty of football to be played... just ask Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Man City etc. and a long list of clubs who have held a lead at the Bernabeu only to suffer the '90 minuti es molto longo' curse.

Madrid 0-2 Lewandowski

Barcelona double their lead.

Balde finds the veteran striker who nods past Lunin to double Barcelona's advantage but what a header from the LaLiga top scorer.

Nothing Lunin could do about that.

Lewandowski strikes again

Delight for the 450 travelling Barcelona fans and silence from the other 80,000 plus at the Bernabeu.

A hint of offside and this will be checked by VAR.

Mendy maybe playing the Polish striker onside.

Yes, a legitimate goal and another strike for Lewandowski who tucks the ball past Lunin.

A timid appeal for a spot kick from Bellingham as he collides with Iñigo Martinez.

Referee waves away the call from the former Dortmund man.

Lamine Yamal sees Lunin of his line and has a pop from long range.

Modric is now warming up and has been joined by Guler, Garcia, Ceballos and Brahim Diaz.

Madrid fans getting a little anxious as the home side are being outplayed in possession by Barça.

Barça dominate possession in the opening minutes of the half and the first whistles emerge from the Bernabeu crowd emerge.

Mbappe does well but wins an early corner for the home side.

No changes for Real Madrid at the interval.

Barcelona get the second half of the first El Clasico of the season underway.

There is one change and it's for Barcelona as Frenkie De Jong comes on for Fermin Lopez.

The Dutchman takes the captain's armband too and it's good to see the midfielder back in action.

Plenty of Madrid fans calling for Luka Modric as a possible change for Madrid at the break.

A need for the home side to retain possession is the reason.

Casadó on a yellow may force Hansi Flick's hand in terms of changes for Barcelona.

For the first time in 13 Clasico's, we head into the break at 0-0.

The last time this game (a Madrid-Barcelona) game was goalless was in 2020 (March 1st) with Madrid going on to win 2-0.

Surely a question of time before both coaches look to their benches for new impetus.

Madrid have plenty of attacking power with Endrick, Bhahim and Guler.

Dani Olmo could be a fresh attitude for Hani Flick's side.

SOCCER

Lamine Yamal far ahead of Messi!

Some half-time reading for you, so grab a coffee and settle back with this. Just how far ahead Lamine Yamal already is ahead of Messi... who at this age hadn't yet made his competitive debut!

All square at the break

Mbappe did have the ball in Barcelona net but the flag was up and the French striker was inches offside after a VAR check.

The whistle sounds and it's goalless at the interval.

Plenty of excitement and a game played with plenty of rhythm and tempo.

Offside calls have been the main theme of the game with Real Madrid especially falling foul of the high Barcelona line.

Madrid ahead in terms of chances created but still plenty of football to be played at the Estadio Bernabeu.

Into the final minute and we'll have two minutes of added time.

Real Madrid win their fifth corner of the night.

The Catalan side have racked up two.

First card of the night goes to Casadó as he clips Vini Jr right under the eyes of the match official.

We're into the last five of the half. 

It's been exciting and a game played with all the intensity one would expect from a Clasico.

Now it's Barcelona's turn to drift offside as Lewandowski shoots wide but the flag goes up.

A very evenly matched contest but, if pushed, Madrid slightly ahead in terms of chances created. 

Bellingham escapes a yellow card as he scythes into Marc Casadó.

Ref lenient there and the English player is lucky to escape.

another offside... Vini Jr. this time.

The pendulum has swung back Real Madrid's way and it's the home side who are now rampant.

Lewandowski goes to ground and the game is briefly held up.

By the way, Madrid have been caught offside 7 times so far in tonight's El Clasico.

Barça really are playing with fire employing their high-press against the speed of Mbappe and Vinicius tonight.

The goal is ruled out and it's heartbreak for the French striker who was inches offside as he sped past the Barcelona defenders.

Real Madrid are ahead and Mbappé bags a goal on his El Clasico debut.

Was the French striker offside ?

VAR will be consulted.

Barça XI

This is how Barcelona lined up ahead of El Clasico.

Solid strike from Pedri (who actually looks okay) and Lunin saves well and it takes a Militao intervention to save Madrid.

Iñigo Martinez now heads over from a lobbed Raphinha ball.

Now Bellingham runs through and is on-side but the ball is too fast and slides out of play.

Barcelona are really living on the edge with their high press and Madrid are aware that they will break the offside trap at some point.

Now it's Camavinga's turn to skip through the Barcelona defenders and the Frenchman blasts the ball into the side netting...

guess what... the flag was up once again !

Pedri is back on the pitch but is shaking his head.

Not sure that the central player will see out the 90 minutes.

My word, Vinicius does almost everything right as he skips into a shooting position and then screws the ball wide when the target was gaping.

Pedri needing attention in what seems to be an ankle issue.

Barça break and slice through the Madrid defence after a poor clearance from Rudiger.

Raphinha shoots but blazes the ball well over the crossbar as Balde was better positioned.

The Barcelona back line hug the halfway line ...this very, very high line has proven to be highly effective all season but tonight's opposition with Mbappe and Vini Jr. offer a different threat.

Possession after 20'.

Barcelona have wrestled the ball back from Madrid and lead the possession stakes by 42-58%.

Real Madrid XI

How Madrid lined up pre game.

The Casadó vs Vini Jr. tussle too is also providing to be pretty intriguing... 

The Barça offside trap vs the speed of Vini and Mbappé is providing plenty of excitement already !

Madrid almost open the scoring as Bellingham almost steers the ball home and it takes an amazing stop from Peña.

The flag is up though so nothing would have counted.

Madrid strike just when you think that Barça are in control.

Better in the past few minutes from the visitors as Barça enjoy a sustained spell of possession. 

Yamal getting more of the ball as Mbappe has a speculative long range effort.

The ball goes down the other end where Lamine is free but chips tamely into Lunin's arms.

A minor let-off for Madrid as Lewandowski miscues a possible strike on goal and Raphinha goes to ground and is slow to get back to his feet.

Almost at the ten minute mark and Raphinha, Yamal and Lewandowski are yet to get a look-on with Madrid dominating.

Barcelona struggling to maintain any solid possession in the opening minutes with both Mbappé and Vinicius already causing headaches for the Barça rear-guard.

A trio of corners for Madrid as Barcelona are forced to defend deeply,

Peña fists away and the ball ricochets off the ref and the game needs to be restarted.

Madrid dominant in this first five minutes of the contest.

Kounde concedes the first corner kick of the night after good work from Vinicius.

Both teams have started with plenty of intensity.

The French striker almost springing the offside trap as Barça maintain their traditional high line.

About 300-400 Barça fans present tucked high in the fourth tier of the Bernabeu as Mbappé springs free and screws the ball wide in a one-on-one with Peña.

The flag was up however!

Here we go, the teams are on the pitch at a packed Santiago Bernabeu where a stunning mosaic greets both sets of players.

Hala Madrid blasts out on the stadium PA system and we're almost set.

A final reminder of the teams for those who may just be joining us.

Camavinga gets the nod over Modric for Madrid and Fermin is in ahead of Dani Olmo ... these were the two doubts pre-game for both head coaches.

Mendy vs Lamine set to be intriguing

The battle on the left flank with Ferland Mendy set to keep track on Lamine Yamal is set to be one of the focus areas tonight and the Madrid defender will need to be at his nest to keep the teenager in check.

Lucas Vazquez will be handled a similar task on the other flank with Raphinha one of the most in-form players in LaLiga. 

Warm up routines underway

Both teams are on the pitch at the Bernabeu with the starting XI's of each team working together as fans start to pack into the spectacular looking newly revamped Bernabeu.

Kick off looms... just 15 to go !

EL CLÁSICO

Why aren’t Courtois, Carvajal, and Rodrygo playing in today’s El Clásico? Injury timelines and expected returns

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has four players out for the Clásico against Barcelona: Courtois, Carvajal, Rodrygo and Alaba. Here's the lowdown on their injuries and how long they are out for.

Packed Bernabeu awaits

These were the scenes a shirt while ago outside the Estadio Bernabeu as thousands of fans gathered to greet the Real Madrid team coach with not an inch available.

81,044 fans will pack into the stand tonight with tickets going for crazy money on the secondary ticketing markets. 

Barça keepers take to the field

The FC Barcelona goalkeeping trio emerge to start their warm-up routine.

It's a night for Iñaki Peña to deliver a big performance and put behind him his previous outing in a Clasico when he shipped four goals when the teams met last January in Riyadh for the Spanish Super Cup.

Matchday weather

It's a brisk and fresh October day in the Spanish capital and fans attending the game tonight will be happy to get under the roofed Santiago Bernabeu with a raw wind adding to the fresh feel in the air.

Rain is not forecast but fans will face even cooler temperatures on the way home post-game.

Excitement sky-high outside the Bernabeu

The Real Madrid team coach had to slowly make its way through the surrounding streets earlier as thousands of fans lined the walkways to get a glimpse of the team with the clash against FC Barcelona looming.

The El Clasico 'menu'

...in the next five minutes we should have the respective goalkeepers from both sides starting their warm-up routine.

Ten minutes later, both teams will take to the field and spend 15-20 minutes carrying out their warm-up drills and five minutes before the hour both teams will take to the pitch with an Estadio Santiago Bernabeu kick-off at 3pm (ET) / 9pm (local time).

Expectation high ahead of El Clásico

For the first time in a few years, there seems to be a renewed buzz ahead of tonight's game with both teams coming into the contest in flying form.

Barça top the table having just lost once in the league all season winning all other nine games and Real Madrid (along with Atleti) the only unbeaten sides to date in the campaign.

The matchday three action of the 2024-25 Champions League also saw both Real Madrid and FC Barcelona deliver dazzling midweek performances against Bundesliga opposition as Los Blancos bagged five second half goals to beat Dortmund 5-2 with Barcelona, boosted by an in-form Raphinha bagging a triple as they beat Bayern Munich 4-1 at Montjuic.

Both emphatic wins and performances only serve to enhance the build-up ahead of today's first El Clásico clash of the season with the action taking place at the newly renovated Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

What do, Drake, Rosalia, Rolling Stones, Karol G and Coldplay have in common ....

Yep, way too easy with all musicians/bands having their logos on the FC Barcelona shirt for El Clasico games over the past few seasons as part of the Catalan club's sponsorship arrangement with music streaming service Spotify. 

LALIGA

Who is José María Sánchez Martínez, the referee selected to oversee Saturday’s El Clásico?

The subs' benches

Real Madrid: Fran González, Mestre, Vallejo, Fran García, Modric, Ceballos, Brahim, Arda Güler & Endrick.

Barcelona: Szczesny, Kochen, Héctor Fort, Sergi Domínguez, Gerard Martín, Gavi, De Jong, Pablo Torre, Pau Víctor, Dani Olmo & Ansu Fati.

Ancelotti: "Barça have changed their philosophy, they're more direct”

Carlo Ancelotti was his usual, calm and relaxed self as he took questions from the media in Friday’s press conference ahead of this weekend’s Clásico at the Bernabéu. It’s the biggest game in the Spanish league calendar and while some might be feeling the pressure, the Real Madrid coach isn’t - at least outwardly. “Nobody is keeping me up at night at the moment,” said the coach, who confronts his 19th meeting with the Catalans as Madrid coach and his 23rd encounter with them during his managerial career.

The Italian insists there isn’t a clear favorite this time around and noted that Barça, under Hansi Flick, “has changed its philosophy a little, its idea of the game is very clear and it plays much more directly.”

LALIGA

Who is José María Sánchez Martínez, the referee selected to oversee Saturday’s El Clásico?

There's been a lot of talk about refereeing leading up to this Clásico. Here's the lowdown on the whistler for tonight's game. 

Flick in confident mood ahead of El Clásico

Hansi Flick is looking forward to his first official Clásico as Barça coach and was in a relaxed and confident mood pre-game speaking to the media.

"It’s nice to be praised, but I know what my job is like and my job is results. When we win, well, when we don’t, bad. We focus on how we want to play. There’s a big change here at the club and at Barcelona, and you can feel it, the connection is admirable, the atmosphere last Wednesday was fantastic.

That’s why we play football and we give everything to win. It’s our job and everyone, when you play, you do it for them, for the fans, playing the Clásico is what you want most. In Germany there are Clásicos but it’s not the same, Barça-Madrid is the Clásico in capital letters".

EL CLÁSICO

Every word of Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona: 2024 LaLiga EA Sports Week 11

Ancelotti had some interesting comments on Barcelona's new style under Flick. Check out the Real Madrid coach's full press conference ahead of the Clásico.

Madrid gunning for Barça unbeaten record

There are more than just three points on the line come tonight with Real Madrid looking to equal the longest-ever unbeaten run in La Liga this weekend when they take on the Catalan giants. At present Carlo Ancelotti’s side have put together a 42 match unbeaten run in the Spanish domestic league and a win/draw on Saturday would see them draw level with the run put together by Barça under Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde in 2017-18 when the ‘Blaugrana’ went 43 games without defeat.

The run eventually came to an end in dramatic fashion as relegation threatened Levate beat Barça 5-4 in Valencia in May 2018 with Real Madrid’s last league loss coming at the hands of city rivals Atletico in September of 2023.

Barça dressing room is ready

The FC Barcelona dressing room is ready for action with the famous 'azulgrana' shirts looking resplendent adorned with the Coldplay 'Moon Music' logo.

Green lights all round for Barça in terms of recent results.

The Catalan side have lost twice this season, away to Osasuna in LaLiga and in the first opening night of the new format Champions League where they were beaten by Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.

Still no news from the FC Barcelona camp on their starting 11.

We anticipate this in the next 45 minutes with teams having to comply with submitting team news officially at least 60 minutes ahead of kick-off.

EL CLÁSICO

Every word of Hansi Flick’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona: 2024 LaLiga EA Sports Week 11

Ahead of El Clásico, Barcelona’s coach responded to the brouhaha over Madrid's ref video and said he has “never had any problems with the referees” and was unaware of the video.

Just the loss away to Lille in the Champions League to blot Real Madrid's recent form.

Ancelotti's men remain unbeaten in LaLiga.

Brahim returns

The Moroccan international returns to the Real Madrid squad for the first time since his injury on September 14 at Anoeta.

Here's how the top of the LaLiga table looks right now, with Barcelona having a three point advantage over Real Madrid. Check out the full table. 

Vinicius thrives vs Barça

Vinicius has scored more goals in the Clásico than any other current player on either team. The Brazilian has netted seven goals in 17 appearances, with his hat-trick in the last Supercopa marking his best performance.

REAL MADRID

The secret to Luka Modric's endless success

Luka Modric could well start the Clásico at the ripe old age of 39. As Sid Lowe said in the Guardian: "There is a reason Luka Modric is still around and it’s not nostalgia... It’s something simpler: he’s still got it.”

Here's the secret to Luka Modric's endless success.

EL CLÁSICO

Why are Barcelona fans called Culés and Real Madrid fans Vikings?

Get the lowdown on the famous nicknames for the supporters of the two teams in the Clasico. Why are Barcelona fans called Culés and Real Madrid fans Vikings?

The Bernabéu is all set!

The Santiago Bernabéu is looking in fine shape ahead of tonight's Clásico. Kick off is at 9 p.m. local time, which is 3 p.m. on east coast and noon on the west coast. 

(Additional public service note - Europe changes its clocks tonight, stopping daylight saving time, while most of us in America don't change till the 3 November, so if you're used to it being a six hour difference from the east coast and nine from the west, you'll need to change that to five and eight respectively for the next week)

EL CLÁSICO

When is Real Madrid vs Barcelona? El Clásico times, how to watch on TV and stream online | LaLiga

Here's all you need to know if you're wanting to tune in to watch the Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

Barcelona heading to Madrid

There were pretty miserable conditions in Barcelona as Flick and his players boarded the plane to the Spanish capital. Here is Madrid there's a lot of cloud around, but it's mostly high, white clouds and no rain is expected. It's certainly not balmy though, temperatures are expected to be just under 50ºF for kick-off.

Jude... third time's the charm?

Bellingham scored in his first two La Liga matchups against Barcelona (three goals total) and could become the second player in the 21st century to score in his first three La Liga Clásicos, after Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o in 2005 (three goals).

Flick aims to make history

The German manager faces Real Madrid for the first time as Barcelona coach. Each of the last five Barcelona managers lost their first official El Clásico, with the last debut victory achieved by Gerardo Martino in 2013 (2-1).

Only five Barcelona coaches in the history of El Clásico have won their first official away match against Real Madrid. The most recent was Englishman Terry Venables in a La Liga game in September 1984 (0-3).

Mbappé's first Clásico

Real Madrid's French star makes his debut in what's seen by many as the biggest soccer match in the world, though he’s already familiar with scoring against Barcelona.

Mbappé has netted six goals in just four matches against Barcelona, all in the Champions League, making them his most prolific non-French club opponent across all competitions.

Madrid look back fondly on the last Clásico

Real Madrid clinched the last showdown against Barcelona with a last-minute comeback. Christensen and Fermín had twice put Barcelona ahead, but Vinicius and Lucas leveled the score, and Bellingham delivered the decisive goal in stoppage time, effectively securing the title.

Here's how Real Madrid will possibly line up for the Clásico

Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric o Camavinga, Bellingham; Mbappé and Vinicius.

No Courtois, who is out injured, so Lunin comes in. 

Real Madrid possible XI

Here's how Real Madrid will possibly line up for the Clásico

Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric o Camavinga, Bellingham; Mbappé and Vinicius.

No Courtois, who is out injured, so Lunin comes in. 

EL CLÁSICO

Real Madrid - Barcelona, en directo: última hora del Clásico de Liga en el Bernabéu hoy, en vivo

If you want to test your Spanish, why not head over and check out the live feed for the Clásico from our colleagues at as.com. 

Barça's special bus

Just like with their jerseys, Barcelona will arrive at the Bernabéu on a bus featuring Coldplay’s logo on the side. 

Will Barcelona play with more flair and abandon than Coldplay's conservative style of music? 

And also, why are Coldplay called Coldplay anyway?

Endrick Felipe has scored on his debut with Real Madrid in both LaLiga and the Champions League, following Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco Alarcón, Marco Asensio, and Jude Bellingham. Among these, only the Englishman had also managed to score in his first appearance in El Clásico.

Barça’s mission: Conquer the Bernabéu

"We want the three points" raps the Barcelona social media team, adding a fist for emphasis. And in contrast to Real Madrid, Barcelona has chosen to feature multiple players in their promotional material for the match, but decided to leave out big names like their Lewandowski, and Madrid's Vinicius, and Mbappé, going instead with Bellingham from their rivals.

Iniesta ready for the Clásico

Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta has been on his social media with the Coldplay shirt Barcelona will be wearing for this evening's match. 

Ancelotti chasing Guardiola's record

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has won his last four games against Barcelona across all competitions. Only two coaches in the history of the Clásico have managed five or more wins on the trot: Miguel Muñoz got seven in a row between 1962 and 1965, while one Josep Guardiola put together a run of five between 2008 and 2010. 

EL CLÁSICO

Mbappé looks to do what Ronaldo and Zidane couldn’t

Real Madrid fans have been waiting for a long time for this: Mbappé playing in his first Clásico. Can he do what Cristiano Ronaldo and Zidane weren't able to?

Madrid looks to make history

Real Madrid has won its last four matches against Barcelona across all competitions and now has the chance to secure five consecutive El Clásico victories for the second time in 59 years (they also did so between 2020 and 2022).

Los Blancos have also won four of their last five home La Liga matches against Barcelona (1 loss), including the last two. A win would mark three consecutive home victories against Barcelona in La Liga for the first time since a streak of four from 1988 to 1991.

Barcelona's scorching attack

Three of the nine players across Europe’s top five leagues who have contributed to at least ten goals this season are from Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski (14, with 12 goals and 2 assists), Lamine Yamal (10, 4 goals and 6 assists), and Raphinha (10, 5 goals and 5 assists). Notably, only three players in these leagues have achieved at least five goals and five assists this season: Mo Salah (5+5 for Liverpool), Cole Palmer (6+5 for Chelsea), and Raphinha (5+5 for Barcelona).

Vinicius takes the spotlight for Madrid in El Clásico

Real Madrid has chosen Vinicius to be the face of their promotional material for El Clásico. The Brazilian enters the matchup after a stellar Champions League performance in the 5-2 win over Dortmund (check out his final goal, running most of the length of the pitch before firing home) and is being widely tipped for the Ballon d’Or.

El Clásico, Chapter 258

Real Madrid and Barcelona have faced each other 257 times, with 188 of those matchups in La Liga. Madrid has claimed victory in 105 of these encounters, while Barcelona has won 100, with 52 draws.

In total, the rivalry has produced 852 goals across all competitions—433 from Real Madrid and 419 from Barcelona—with 605 goals scored in La Liga play (304 from Madrid and 301 from Barcelona).

Real Madrid vs Barcelona!

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of this season's first Clásico, with Real Madrid hosting Barcelona at the Bernabéu. Kick off is at 3 p.m. ET but we'll have all the build up before that as Ancelotti and Flick prepare their men for the big clash. 

Remember Barcelona lead LaLiga on 27 points, having lost just one game out of the 10 they've played. That was the shock 4-2 defeat to Osasuna on matchday 8. 

Real Madrid are three points behind, back on 24, but remain unbeaten, with their dropped points coming from three 1-1 draws, against Mallorca, Las Palmas and city rivals Atlético.

Check the full Liga table.