Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona thrashed rivals Real Madrid 4-0 on Saturday, handing the Spanish champions their first La Liga defeat in over a year.
Teenage winger Lamine Yamal and Raphinha added to the rout, while Madrid star Kylian Mbappé had two goals disallowed for offside in a frustrating debut Clasico for Los Blancos. The defeat leaves Real trailing league leaders Barcelona by six points.
Mbappé struggled to break through Barcelona’s high defensive line, frustrating the Santiago Bernabeu crowd as Barcelona netted four goals in the second half.
Barcelona ended Madrid’s 42-match unbeaten run in La Liga, just one game short of their own record, capping off an impressive statement victory.
Since taking charge, Hansi Flick has revitalised Barcelona, and by snapping a run of four consecutive Clasico defeats, his young side demonstrated how far they have progressed.
Real Madrid’s manager Carlo Ancelotti added physicality in midfield by choosing Eduardo Camavinga over Luka Modric, focusing on defending in numbers and releasing Mbappé or Vinícius Jr. with long balls to exploit Barcelona’s high line.
The first half was tense and repetitive, with Barcelona’s defence catching Madrid offside eight times.
Mbappé hit the side-netting and lobbed over, though both attempts were ruled offside, while Jude Bellingham forced an outstanding save from Barcelona goalkeeper Iñaki Peña, although it too would have been ruled out.
At the other end, Barcelona’s teenage talent Yamal sent a soft shot at Andriy Lunin after a clever flick from Lewandowski, while Raphinha fired over and forced a save from Lunin.
Mbappé thought he’d scored after a fine finish over Peña, only for the flag to go up for offside once again.
**Silencing the Bernabeu**
Despite Madrid’s threats, they managed just one legitimate shot in the first half, with Vinícius dragging an effort wide.
Looking for more control, Flick brought on Frenkie de Jong at half-time, and Barcelona soon took the lead.
Casado played Lewandowski through, and with Madrid’s Ferland Mendy trailing, the Pole was onside. The 36-year-old calmly slotted past Lunin, silencing the Bernabeu, and two minutes later he struck again.
Lewandowski headed home Alejandro Balde’s cross to double Barcelona’s lead, netting his 14th league goal in 11 games and continuing his stunning revival under Flick.
Mbappé had another goal ruled out for offside, while Peña thwarted a low shot from the ex-Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Lewandowski missed two chances to secure his hat-trick, hitting the post from a Raphinha lay-off and blazing over after fine play from Yamal.
Spain’s Euro 2024 star Yamal smashed home Barcelona’s third after a surging Raphinha set him up, with Flick celebrating in the dugout. Raphinha completed the demolition with a deft lob over Lunin, leaving the Bernabeu in disbelief.