Real Madrid defeats Barcelona 2-1 to end nine-game winning streak

Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 on Sunday evening at Camp Nou, snapping the Catalan club’s nine-game winning streak in La Liga. The result gave Jose Mourinho’s team a 2-1 victory in a match that determined temporary bragging rights between the two historic rivals.

Kylian Mbappe scored both goals for the visitors, bringing his total for Real Madrid across all competitions to 100. His brace also increased his La Liga tally to 14 goals for the current season. The French forward, who joined the club from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, has now reached the century mark in just his second year with the team.

The win ended a period of dominance for Barcelona, who had won their first nine league matches of the season. Had the hosts won, they would have broken the record for the best start in Spanish top-flight history, a mark held by Real Madrid from the 1968-69 season. This defeat marked Barcelona’s second consecutive loss, following a recent setback against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Real Madrid’s victory improved their all-time head-to-head record against Barcelona to 107 wins, edging out the 106 victories recorded by the Catalan side. The result provides a morale boost for a squad that had suffered defeats to Real Betis and Atletico Madrid earlier in the month. Real have now won five consecutive matches, including three in La Liga and two in European competition.

The league standings show Real Madrid in third place with 24 points after ten matches. They trail Barcelona, who lead the table, by three points. Atletico Madrid sits in second place with 25 points. With more than three-quarters of the season remaining, the gap between the top three teams remains narrow, indicating a tight race for the title.

Mourinho returned to the Real Madrid managerial bench after a thirteen-year absence. He was hired to halt Barcelona’s recent success in the league. The manager’s last league title came with Chelsea in the 2014-15 season, but his extensive record as one of football’s most decorated coaches led to his appointment.

Speaking after the match, Mourinho emphasized the need for consistency beyond this single victory. “If we win today but lose at El Sardinero, it counts for nothing, because Madrid isn’t playing to win at the Camp Nou,” he said. “They’re playing to win the championship.”

The French forward’s performance arrives on the eve of the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, where he is considered a top contender. His accolades from the previous campaign, including La Liga and Champions League top scorer honors and the World Cup Golden Boot, have strengthened his case. The 27-year-old continues to build on a season that saw him become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.

Mourinho celebrated the win with a knee slide on the pitch, a gesture consistent with his previous tenure at the club. During his first stint, he guided Real Madrid to three trophies, including a record-breaking La Liga title. The current squad now has evidence that his tactical approach can compete with Barcelona’s dominant form in the early stages of the season.