Real Madrid leave it late in the El Classico as Xavi is furious

After a thrilling El Clasico, Real Madrid defeated Barcelona to go 11 points clear at the top of La Liga thanks to a late goal from Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid twice attacked the Bernabeu from behind, and as stoppage time approached, Bellingham crashed into the net’s ceiling.

Barcelona’s first goal came from Andres Christensen, but a penalty kick from Vinicius Jr. tied the score at the half.

Barca led 2-1 after Fermin Lopez’s goal, but Lucas Vazquez equalized once more.

With six games remaining in the season, Real is well-positioned to recover the crown after this victory.

After just six minutes, it appeared that Barcelona would have a successful evening as Christensen climbed above Toni Kroos to meet Raphinha’s corner.

The celebrations, however, were short-lived as Vinicius scored his 13th La Liga goal of the season after referee Cesar Soto Grado signaled for a penalty after Pau Cubarsi fouled Vazquez in the area.

Lamine Yamal flicked a corner towards goal, thinking he had given Barcelona the lead again, but goalie Andriy Lunin, who was positioned behind the line, swiped it away.

Barcelona insisted that the ball had crossed the line, but the video assistant referee determined that it had not since La Liga lacks goalline technology.

Lopez’s close-range goal in the 69th minute ignited a tight second half after Lunin parried a cross into his path.

However, Vazquez came out unmarked at the far post to meet Vinicius’ cross, and Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid pulled even again just four minutes later.

Real Madrid’s winning streak in all competitions now stands at 28 games, with 22 victories and six draws. Their most recent home defeat was on April 8, 2023, against Villarreal.

JUDE BELLINGHAM STEPS TO THE OCASSION AGAIN

For Real, Bellingham is becoming used to performing on enormous stages, and few are bigger than a Clasico.

During his first season in Spain, the England midfielder scored twice to bring his team to a 2-1 victory at Estadio Olímpico Lluis Companys, giving him a taste of the historic fixture. Since then, he has consistently performed well in crucial situations.

He is the first Real player to score in their first two La Liga El Clasicos since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2007 thanks to his dramatic victory at the Bernabeu.

With every week that goes by, the 103 million euros (£88.5 million) that Real Madrid gave Borussia Dortmund to get Bellingham in the summer seem like a better deal. He also looks great wearing Zinedine Zidane’s famous number five on his back.

Bellingham is the second-highest scorer in the division this season with 17 goals in La Liga, one less than Artem Dovbyk of Girona. He is still on fire as Real Madrid looks to win both the La Liga and the Champions League at the end of the campaign.

“It’s a scandal,” said Xavi.
When VAR officials were unable to establish that Yamal’s effort had over the line, Barcelona coach Xavi became enraged.

“It’s a disgrace,” said Xavi, complaining that the goalline technology used in other top flights including the Premier League is not available in La Liga.

“If we want to be the best league in the world we have to advance in this sense, you have to put in the technology.”

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, the goalkeeper for Barcelona, concurred with his boss.