Real Madrid 3-2 FC Barcelona, summary, score, goals, highlights

Another rollercoaster El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu with plenty of incident saw Real Madrid run out 3-2 winners and Jude Bellingham's added time winner sees Los Blancos take a significant step towards LaLiga title No.36.

The visitors took an early lead after Lunin misjudged a Raphina corner to nod home with the lead only lasting 12 minutes as Vini Jr. slotted home a spot kick after Lucas Vazquez was upended in the area by Pau Cubarsi.

A sluggish start to the second half was brought into life when Fermin Lopez bundled the ball into the next in the 73rd minute. Just four minutes later, parity was restored as man-of-the-match Lucas Vazquez finished smartly to draw the teams level.

Despite Barca's best efforts to find that all important winner, the fifth and final goal went the way of the home side as Jude Bellingham pounced to fire home to break Barça fans' hearts and help Ancelotti's men edge towards the title.

RMCF 3-2 FCB

Ter Stegen post game

"We feel terrible after the game and it's clear, this was not our best match".

The German keeper pointing the finger at the match official but also acknowledged that Barcelona were not at their best.

The stopper also reflects on the 'was it over the line' moment in the 28th minute and laments that there is no hawk-eye technology in the game.  

Bellingham back on target

After an incredible start to his time in a Real Madrid shirt, goals seemed to have dried up for Jude Bellingham with the English player not finding the net since 10 February.

The former Dortmund man certainly enjoyed his goal as he celebrates with Lucas Vazquez who was one of the standout players tonight.

There was a nice moment between Ancelotti and Xavi at the end of the game. 

Looks like Xavi will end up empty handed this season which does appear to be his last as Barça boss.

An incredible week for Los Blancos. An incredible backs to the wall performance in Manchester and a last minute win over their leading rivals rounding off a dream week for Ancelotti.

A bad night for Barcelona compounded by the De Jong injury on the stroke of half-time with the Dutch player expected to miss the rest of the season.

Madrid in control in LaLiga

Real Madrid have an 11 point lead at the summit and even the most optimistic Barcelona fans would concede the title to their arch rivals.

FT: Real Madrid 3-2 Barça

It's just a question of time now as to when Carlo Ancelotti's men are proclaimed 2023-24 LaLiga champions.

That's it.... All over at the Bernabeu.

Madrid fans in raptures, they know exactly what this win means for the club.

We've just one minute remaining of the added four.

The English player's first goal in LaLiga since early February.

Bellingham finishes it off and Madrid surely edging closer to LaLiga title No. 36

Cubarsi carded as he holds Bellingham to avoid a Madrid counter.

Into the final minute of the 90 and a third goal for Barça does look unlikely as Madrid seem to be comfortable dealing with threat being created by the Catalan side.

Time ticking away for Barça. 

Ferran Torres and Joao Felix yet to really get into the action with the Barça danger still coming from Lamine Yamal.

Modric clips Joao Felix and Barça win a free just outside the Real Madrid box.

Vini off and Joselu is the man selected to replace the striker.

We're into the final ten minutes ... Barça need a goal.

A draw suits Real Madrid.

Vinicius breaks and drives the ball straight at Ter Stegen as the Barça rear guard was caught napping.

The ball coming all the way from Lunin.

Yamal is clipped by Rudiger and danger for the home side with more than ten minutes left at the Bernabeu.

Fifteen minutes of the game left and after a lackluster first 15' in the second half, the game has come alive once again.

Kounde carded

Madrid switch

Militao on for Rodrygo

Changes for the home side

Brahim Diaz and Fran Garcia on as Kroos and Camavinga exit

Yamal with the delivery as Torres skips past Lunin with the keeper unsighted and Fermin Lopez is alert to the spill and sends the ball into the back of the net.

Fran and Brahim Diaz are stripped and ready to enter the fray.

Madrid win a corner after a sustained spell of possession.

Drama at both ends as Madrid appeal for a handball.... the play then switches to the other end as Torres breaks and clips the ball wide but the flag was up.

EL CLÁSICO

Does LaLiga have goalline technology? What about other major leagues?

A number of you are asking about LaLiga and goalline technology after the earlier incident so our Cal has pulled together this quick explainer.

Changes for Barça

Lewandowski and Raphinha making way as Ferran Torres and Joao Felix make an entrance.

Things have gone a little flat in the game after a real rollercoaster in the first hal.

Torres and Joao Felix stripped and poised to make an entrance.

We pass the hour mark at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona starting to control the action now and that hint of tiredness possibly catching up on Real Madrid.

Time for Ancelotti to shake things up and we'll inevitably see changes after the hour mark.  

Vinicius breaks on the counter and the Brazilian beats Cubarsi for pace but slices his effort. 

Brahim Diaz another of the Madrid subs warming up now too.

Lucas Vazquez has his name taken too for a foul and joins Camavinga in Soto Grado's book.

Will we see tiredness becoming a factor for Real Madrid after their marathon session in Manchester last Wednesday ?

Ancelotti's side played for 120 minutes before advancing on spot kicks.

Bellingham gets a shot off but easy for the German keeper to gather. 

78,000 fans in attendance tonight ...

Fran Garcia starts to warm up for Madrid with Fort and Joao Felix doing the same for the visiting side.

Pedri and Fermin Lopez are on and replace the injured De Jong and Christensen with the Danish defender watching the second half from the bench.

A clear statement from Xavi in sacrificing a defender with the action underway again.

All square in El Clasico

Christensen gave the visitors a dream start but the home side drew level just 12 minutes later as Cubarsi trips Vazquez with Vinicius making no mistake.

Both sides have enjoyed spells of dominance with Lamine Yamal posing all sorts of questions for the Madrid rear-guard who look very vulnerable from dead pieces. 

A draw is of little use for the Catalan side who will need to push on and will be obliged to look for a winner.

Soto Grado does now bring an end to the half and plenty of talking points from the first 45. 

The game continues and the referee has yet to sound his whistle with the De Jong injury seeing more time added.

The Barcelona man is in tears and that looks ominous as he is stretchered from the field.

De Jong seems to have come off badly from that challenge with Valverde and it looks like the Dutch midfielder can't continue.

Christensen is robbed as Vini and Rodrygo combine but the Danish defender recovers ground to intervene and the ball is back in Ter Stegen's arms. 

Free for Barcelona ....Gundogan goes for goal amd just drives over with 4 minutes of time to be added at the end of the first half.

Final minutes of the half and a draw is probably a fair result on the balance of play.

Lamine Yamal looks like Barça's best hope and Ancelotti will be hoping to see more of Rodrygo and Vincius on the ball.

Lunin looks a little hesitant tonight with balls into the box.

The Ukrainian stopper was so solid in Manchester but as another corner is delivered from Barça, the Madrid rearguard and keeper look hesitant and uncomfortable.

Into the final ten minutes of the half. 

The game operating in waves with both sides interchanging spells of dominance.

Shots on target: Real Madrid 2-3 Fc Barcelona.

Camavinga gets the first card of the night as Yamal is clipped on the edge of the Madrid box.

Lamine Yamal is causing a real headache for the Madrid defenders as Camavinga tackles the teenager who looks for a penalty kick.

VAR still being consulted with play halted.

No goal is the verdict....

This will be talked about for days to come on Spanish TV chat shows....

Referee says no, another corner is the outcome.

VAR is being double checked and don't forget there is no goal line technology in LaLiga. 

No angle is really conclusive .... 

Barça win another corner thanks to solid work from Yamal.

Danger lights in the Madrid defence as the ball is whipped in by Raphinha ...

Was the ball over the line ?

Another corner for the visitors and Gundogan this time goes close. Madrid struggling with the Catalan side in the dead ball department.

Madrid win their first corner of the night with Kroos offering the delivery but the move comes to nothing.

The home side looking very much in control now. 

We've yet to see anything from Lewandowski and we're already played well over twenty minutes of football.

All square at the Bernabeu

Possession after 20 minutes

Real Madrid 64-36 (%) FC Barcelona

Vini to take .... the Brazilian slots home and we're all level.

Spot kick for Madrid as Lucas Vazquez is tripped by Cubarsi.

No argument there ... clear penalty but the referee will doublecheck with VAR

Lamine Yamal beats Camavinga and forces a fine stop from Lunin.

Another corner for Barcelona ... Madrid under pressure again.

Kroos with the delivery as it finds Vini Jr. and the Brazilian nods over... Frustration from Rudiger who was in a better posotion.

Madrid with sustained pressure as they try and work the ball past the men in 'azulgrana' ...Modric, Bellingham and Lucas Vazquez threading neat passes together as Cancelo trips Vazquez and the home side have a dangerous free.

Barça silence the Bernabeu

Madrid look to bounce back immediately as Vinicius goes close but sends the ball over Ter Stegen's bar. 

Rodrygo works the ball to Vini Jr for the first time tonight but Jules Kounde is there to block the effort.

Can Barcelona get the win they so desperately need?

Will Lamine Yamal shine on the big stage?

Will Madrid be suffering from the emotional hangover from Manchester?

All these questions and more will be answered in the next 90 minutes.

We're rolling in Madrid

Barcelona get the game underway

Vini Jr. picks up his March LaLiga Player of the Month award. 

We're all set....

A minute's silence will be held for Luis Gil from LaLiga who passed away earlier on Sunday.

The teams are on the pitch and the two captain's going through the pre-game protocol.

So, kick-off just minutes away... can Barça get the win that would close the gap at the top of the table to five points...

A win for the home side would see Ancelotti's men move 11 points clear and with just six games left, that would be a bridge too far for the Catalan side.

A draw would suit the home side!

A reminder of tonight's teams for those just joining us....

What an occasion for Barça teenagers Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal. 

Rodrygo & Vini Jr. leading the line for the home side.

El Clásico: matchday weather

It's an absolutely glorious April evening in the Spanish capital with a mild 22C/74F with the conditions being ideal for fans and players alike. 

Remember that the roof will be on tonight at the Bernabeu making this Clasico the first ever game played 'indoor' between Madrid and Barça on Spanish soil.

Xavi: 'What a better place to look for a reaction'

Speaking to Spanish LaLiga rights holders Movistar+ pre game, FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez acknowledged that his team were affected by the midweek Champions League defeat to PSG but also claimed that the Bernabeu offered the ideal scenario for his team to bounce back. 

Meet tonight's ref

The Spanish FA has appointed César Soto Grado as the match official for the key game in matchday 32 of the 2023-34 LaLiga EA Sports season.

This will be his third game in charge of Real Madrid this season with Soto Grado in charge of the game in Las Palmas where Los Blancos ran out 1-2 winners. He also oversaw the draw against Betis in Seville and the 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad at the Bernabéu.

The official has taken charge of two Barça games in the current season with both matches ending in draws for Xavi’s men in trips to Getafe and Granada.

360 scoreboard set for debut

Tonight is the first time we get to see the Santiago Bernabeu's new 360 degree scoreboard get used for the first time offering an impressive view to the current 81,000 capacity crowd expected at the Chamartin ground tonight. 

What they said pre-game: Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti was in a confident mood in the media room ahead of El Clasico with his team still basking in glory after eliminating Manchester City in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

The Italian affirmed that a win would edge his side towards a 36th LaLiga title.

"We're going to play against a very competitive opponent who have done very well in recent matches. It's going to be a Clásico like it always is, hard fought and evenly matched. It's a great opportunity to get closer to winning the league, but we're aware of the difficulties we'll have because Barcelona are still alive in the race".

What they said pre-game: Xavi

Tonight's game really is last chance saloon for FC Barcelona with a win essential if the Catalan club are to keep any hopes of a serious title challenge alive.

Xavi Hernandez was in a bullish mood facing the media ahead of the match:

"We have the opportunity to put ourselves back in the battle for LaLiga. It’s the most important game of the season. I’m sure we’ll find ourselves up against a very strong Madrid with confidence after eliminating the best team in the world, Manchester City. Today we trained well, we have to change our mindset. There is enthusiasm among the players to fight for this league title."

Barça players carry out pitch inspection

Sergi Roberto, Araujo and Marcos Alonso take a look at the surroundings as kick-off gets closer in the Spanish capital.

El Clasico absentees

There are two key absentees for both sides tonight with both Alaba and Courtois out for the rest of the season with reserve keeper Lunin doing an admirable job between the sticks for Los Blancos.

Alex Balde and Gavi are the missing men for Barça with the defender suffering from a thing problem and the the Seville born Gavi recovering from an ACL tear.

Barcelona supporting Karol G

As part of Barcelona's colab with Spotify, they'll be promoting Colombian raggaeton and urban pop artist Karol G. Their jersey tonight will feature the singer's iconic barbed wire heart icon. 

Barcelona's arrival at the Bernabéu

Here's how Barcelona arrived at the Bernabéu...

Barcelona XI announced

Xavi names his team: 

Ter Stegen; Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí, Cancelo; De Jong, Christensen, Gündogan; Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski and Raphinha.

Same team that crashed out against PSG in the Champions League on Tuesday, except for the return of Christensen for Pedro. 

Pep Guardiola was less than complimentary about the turf at the Bernabéu after City drew 3-3 against Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, but according to Antonio Romero, reporter with Spanish radio station Cadena SER, the grass is in much better condition for tonight's Clásico. 

FAMOUS FANS

Tom Brady visits Madrid for El Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona

Looks like there's going to one pretty famous fan at the Bernabéu this evening, with Brady in town. He's also had a great day out touring the city. 

Madrid TV's images of the impressive arrival of the Real Madrid bus at the Bernabéu. There's some atmosphere on the streets of the Spanish capital!

Real Madrid starting line-up

The Madrid starting line-up of:

Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Tchouameni, Rüdiger, Camavinga; Modric, Valverde, Kroos; Bellingham; Vinicius and Rodrygo.

Sees three changes from the XI who started in Manchester for the famous quarter-final win over City. 

Tchoumeni is back in, while Lucas Vázquez and Camavinga will be on the wings. Up front, it remains the trident of Bellingham and the Brazilian duo of Vinicius-Rodrygo.

Weather in Madrid

It is a simply gorgeous evening in Madrid for the Clásico. Blue skies without a hint of cloud - the temperature right now is a balmy 71, falling to 68 for kick-off at 3pm ET (9 pm local time). And right on kick-off the sun will set - will that be the case for Barcelona's league hopes too? 

Real Madrid XI

Carlo Ancelotti names his side with starts for Modric and Lucas Vazquez.

Rodrygo and Vini Jr. set to lead the line for Los Blancos.

EL CLÁSICO

What’s the maximum capacity at the ‘new’ Santiago Bernabéu?

Further reading on the Santiago Bernabeu renovation and facelift from our colleague Cal.

The new Bernabeu impresses

With the final work still ongoing at the iconic stadium and the 360 surround scoreboard set to make its debut tonight, the Santiago Bernabeu has undergone a significant makeover.

The new look ground will have the roof closed tonight to ensure added levels of decibels and is set to host NFL games in the future as well as the likes of Taylor Swift and Karol G et to play sold out shows at the Chamartin ground in May and June.

Karol G adorns the Barça jersey tonight

Eagle eyed fans tonight will spot a slight amend on the front of the famous azulgrana striped shirt as the standard Spotify logo is swapped for another logo featuring a heart made from barbed wire and the word Karol G.

The 33-year-old reggaeton artist Karol G becomes the latest to adorn the Barça shirt for El Clasico, which for many is the biggest club game in global football. The Colombian follows the steps of Drake, Rosalia and the Rolling Stones who have all had their logos adorn the iconic ‘azul-grana’ Barça jersey as part of the club’s sponsorship deal with music streaming platform Spotify.

Real Madrid 104-100 FC Barcelona

The above is the overall head-to-head tally of official matches between both sides. 

In the previous 256 meetings Madrid have bagged 430 goals against Barça's 417 with 52 games ending in a draw.

El Clasico around the world

El Clasico is still the biggest club game on the planet and still captivates a global audience even in the absence of iconic stars such as Messi and Ronaldo.

Unlike other high stake games, it (generally) delivers top class entertainment unlike other big profile games such as the UCL final.

Here's a listing of the times you can tune into El Clasico form your part of the world.

By contrast, Barça are still licking their wounds after a second leg exit at the hands of PSG where a first half red card for Araujo swung the dynamic of the tie the way of the Ligue 1 side with PSG going on to record a 1-4 win and a semifinal berth against Borussia Dortmund.

LaLiga is Xavi's last (outside) tilt at a title this year before he stands down as Barça boss.

Madrid are on a roll and will be in an even more confident mood after their Houdini performance in Manchester last Wednesday where they managed to ride wave after wave of Man City attack ultimately taking the game to a penalty shoot out and thanks to a fluffed Bernardo Silva Panenka, secured a place in the semi-final of the competition where they face Bayern Munich in the semi-final.

This is how things look at the top of the table with just seven games remaining in the 2023-24 season. 

21 points still on the table, but a defeat tonight would surely even end the dreams of even the most optimistic Barça fan?

What time does Real Madrid vs Barcelona start?

El Clasico will be played on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET / noon PT or 9pm local time in the Spanish capital.

Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage of the second El Clasico of the season as Barcelona head to the Santiago Bernabeu with three points imperative for any outside hopes the Catalan side harbour of retaining their league title.