Carlo Ancelotti's side were thoroughly outclassed at Montjuic as defeat left their La Liga defence in tatters
Real Madrid endured a defensive nightmare while Jude Bellingham went missing in the most chaotic of Clasicos as Los Blancos were defeated 4-3 in a game that effectively handed arch-rivals Barcelona the Liga title.
Despite the apparent closeness of the scoreline, Carlo Ancelotti's side were never truly in it – despite a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick – as they were out-passed, outplayed, and outclassed by a rampant Barca side that did everything to show why they deserve to win the league.
Everything looked good for Madrid early on, as inside the first five minutes Kylian Mbappe burst behind Barca's high line and rounded Wojciech Szczesny before having his legs clipped, which allowed the France captain to convert the ensuing penalty with ease. He made it two soon after, too, with another direct run and clinical finish.
But Madrid never looked truly in control, and Barca woke up. Their first goal came via some poor defending as Eric Garcia ghosted in front of a stranded Raul Asencio to nod home. Lamine Yamal provided the second, finishing a wonderfully constructed move with a calm stroke into the bottom corner. Raphinha then had his say, scoring twice in 10 minutes to give Barca daylight heading into having turned a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead.
But Madrid stuck around as a more resolute defensive showing in the second half afforded them space going the other way. Vinicius Jr and Mbappe combined for their third, the latter handed an easy tap-in after some shoddy Barca defending. The home side then thought they had a penalty that might have put the game to bed, but Aurelien Tchouameni was adjudged to have not handled the ball after a lengthy VAR review.
Madrid had a duo of final chances, but couldn't convert, with debutant Victor Munoz smashing wide when offered a clear opportunity to level the game. Los Blancos wouldn't have deserved a draw, though. They were too loose, too open, and thoroughly outplayed. As such, the title race is all-but over.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from The Olympic Stadium…
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Thibaut Courtois (4/10):
Conceded four goals that he couldn't do anything about.
Lucas Vazquez (3/10):
What a nightmare! Admittedly abandoned in a one-v-one with Raphinha that he was always going to lose, but made three errors leading to goals in the first half alone.
Raul Asencio (4/10):
All over the place at the back. Should have tracked his man on Barca's first, and spent the rest of the afternoon making silly tackles.
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):
Pulled left and right by Ferran. Maybe a bit lucky to not give a penalty away after a dubious hand ball.
Fran Garcia (5/10):
Could have closed down Yamal a few more times, but didn't have the worst game against the magical winger.
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Federico Valverde (6/10):
Picked up a worrying knock shortly before half-time, but was able to play on. Moved to right-back soon after. Does everything the manager asks every time.
Dani Ceballos (4/10):
Put in the team for midfield control, yet barely touched the ball.
Jude Bellingham (4/10):
Hardly on the ball in the first half, and spent most of the game electing not to defend. His form has dropped off massively.
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Arda Guler (5/10):
Spent 45 minutes watching and was then replaced. Should have helped out the flailing Vazquez.
Kylian Mbappe (8/10):
Took his penalty well and added two more. Scored three when he should have had six, though.
Vinicius Junior (5/10):
Made all of the right runs, but was uncharacteristically loose on the ball. Puzzling to be so poor yet grab two assists.
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Luka Modric (6/10):
Provided a little more control in central midfield, and much needed bite in tackles, too.
Brahim Diaz (5/10):
Offered some creativity in the middle of the park.
Endrick (N/A):
Ran around, but never given a clear chance.
Victor Munoz (N/A):
Marked his Madrid debut by smashing wide on a chance to equalise.
Carlo Ancelotti (3/10):
Made a couple of questionable selection decisions, including starting Vazquez and leaving Rodyrgo out. His farewell tour is turning into a nightmare.