Barcelona produced a dramatic comeback to edge Real Madrid 4-3 on Sunday, shifting inside touching distance of the La Liga title.
Kylian Mbappe netted a hat trick for Los Blancos, however Barca responded in type – Raphinha struck twice, whereas Lamine Yamal, Eric Garcia and Fermin López additionally discovered the online to open up a seven-point lead over the reigning champions with simply three matches to play.
Fresh off a Champions League semifinal exit to Inter Milan, Hansi Flick’s aspect confronted a must-win state of affairs to maintain their season alive – and so they delivered below strain. After falling behind early to Mbappe’s brace, Barca confirmed resilience and resolve to finish a clear sweep of Clasico wins this season.
Madrid had appeared poised to spoil the get together in what’s anticipated to be Carlo Ancelotti’s last Clasico in cost, however Barca’s response underlined their home supremacy.
Mbappe earned a penalty when he was scythed down by Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, though the Catalans complained in useless that the French ahead was offside within the build-up.
The striker beat Szczesny, who dived the appropriate means and received his fingers to the shot however couldn’t preserve it out.
In the 14th minute, Mbappe doubled Madrid’s benefit with a deadly end after Vinicius Junior performed him via, with Barcelona once more protesting a perceived foul on Yamal earlier within the transfer.
It was his twenty sixth La Liga strike, taking him previous Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (25) on the high of the scoring charts, and his thirty eighth of the season throughout all competitions – surpassing Ivan Zamorano’s membership report of 37 targets in a debut marketing campaign with Los Blancos.
Just as they’ve accomplished so usually this season, Flick’s spirited younger Barcelona aspect fought their means again into the sport with a stirring comeback.
Thibaut Courtois tipped Gerard Martin’s drive over the bar, and from the ensuing nook, Garcia headed residence Ferran Torres’ flick-on.
Torres flicked large from shut vary with an improvised effort, and Federico Valverde was booked for a crunching deal with on whirlwind teenager Yamal.
Madrid couldn’t cease the 17-year-old from leveling with a cultured bending effort past Courtois after Torres laid the ball off to him contained in the field.
Raphinha brace
Two minutes later, Raphinha despatched Barca forward, with Pedri threading a cross via for the Brazilian winger to drill residence.
Raphinha headed over from a superb Yamal cross with the surface of his boot – one thing of a trademark for the Spain worldwide.
Mbappe thought he had gained one other penalty when he went down below strain from Frenkie de Jong, however VAR revealed an offside within the build-up.
Moments later, Raphinha netted his second, choosing Lucas Vazquez’s pocket on the sting of the realm, exchanging passes with Torres and slotting previous Courtois.
Mbappe scored once more from an offside place earlier than the break, bringing a rollercoaster first half to a detailed.
Yamal had a purpose dominated out for offside early within the second half as Barcelona appeared to place their archrivals to the sword.
Flick introduced on Alejandro Balde and Andreas Christensen, with the latter chopping out a harmful ball as Vinicius appeared to seek out Mbappe.
Next time round, the Brazilian discovered his man, with Mbappe slotting residence his hat trick as he and Vinicius broke behind Barca’s excessive line.
Barcelona appealed for a penalty when Aurelien Tchouameni blocked Torres’ shot together with his arm, however after a video evaluation, the referee determined to not award it.
Real Madrid substitute Victor Munoz may need leveled late on however fired excessive and large when despatched via, and Szczesny denied Mbappe once more, who had one other purpose dominated out for offside.
Barcelona thought that they had wrapped up the win with an outstanding solo effort from Fermin Lopez, but it surely was harshly disallowed for handball in opposition to the midfielder.
Madrid had no time left to reply, and Barcelona – who final gained the league in 2023 – might seal the title as early as Wednesday, ought to Los Blancos stumble in opposition to Mallorca.
Source: www.dailysabah.com