Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham strikes twice to give Real dramatic comeback El Clasico win

Jude Bellingham lived up to his billing on El Clasico debut, bagging a stunning brace including a 92nd-minute winner to write an impossible Real Madrid comeback and sink a determined Barcelona who were better for most of the game, as the match finished 2-1.

It was a game with lots of aggression but few chances, especially in the first half, and both goals seemingly came from nowhere with Ilkay Gundogan picking the perfect time to score his first goal for the Catalan club.

He gave Xavi’s side the lead just six minutes in after Aurelien Tchouameni inadvertently sent the perfect through-ball into his own box, and the German beat a despairing David Alaba to fire home.

Missing Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde from the starting XI, a tenacious Barcelona had plenty of chances in the first half with Fermin Lopez hitting the woodwork, but Bellingham made them pay for those missed opportunities with 20 minutes remaining.

Moments after Tchouameni had hit the woodwork from range, Bellingham received the ball outside the penalty area and hammered an out swinging shot under Marc-Andre Ter Stegen’s top hand to equalise.

And just when the game seemed destined for a draw, old and new combined with Luka Modric accidentally feeding Bellingham who fired home for victory from point-blank range.

The result moves Real Madrid top of La Liga, level on points with Girona and four points above Barcelona, who are third.

All the talk pre-game was about how Barcelona could possibly stop Jude Bellingham, who’s been at the heart of everything for Real Madrid since arriving in the summer. Heading into the game, Bellingham was the joint-third highest scorer across Europe’s top five leagues, but Barcelona did a fantastic job of preventing him adding to his 10 La Liga goal contributions for over an hour.

Barcelona’s tenacious midfield was led by Gavi showing an effervescence around the pitch that would put even N’Golo Kante to shame. Fermin Lopez - a surprise inclusion ahead of kick-off - had a similar terrier spirit to help cut the supply to Real Madrid’s main man, but ultimately Los Blancos came into the game as Barcelona tired.

The visitors’ strength in depth ultimately proved the difference with Carlo Ancelloti able to call on Modric from the bench, compared to Xavi’s impact substitute in the shape of Oriel Romeu. Bellingham likely would’ve found the space for his opener early in the game but he still had to produce the perfect shot, which arced away into the corner past a despairing Ter Stegen who may have been slightly disappointed to see it drop under his top hand.

In a hectic final 20 minutes, both sides had chances to win but again Real Madrid’s star quality decided things. There was definitely a hint of fortune about how Modric found Bellingham for the winner but no visiting fans will care, avenging Barcelona’s injury-time winner last time the sides met.

Sporting the number 5 previously worn by Zinedine Zidane in the iconic El Clasicos of yesteryear, Jude Bellingham showed the world it’s now his time in the Spanish capital.

Bellingham was anonymous for much of the game against a fantastically well-marshalled Barcelona midfield, but announced himself with that screaming first goal that will be replayed endlessly in years to come.

He was much more involved afterwards, connecting well with Vinicius and Joselu in the closing stages, but it was never going to be anyone else to complete the fairytale ending.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 5, Araujo 6, Christensen 7, Martinez 6, Balde 7, Gavi 8, Gundogan 7, Lopez 7, Cancelo 6, Torres 7, Felix 7… Subs: Lewandowski 6, Raphinha 6, Alonso, Romeu 5, Yamal 6

Real Madrid: Kepa 8, Carvajal 6, Rudiger 7, Alaba 6, Mendy 5, Tchouameni 7, Valverde 7, Bellingham 9, Kroos 6, Rodrygo 4, Vinicius 6… Subs: Modric 7, Camavinga 6, Joselu 5, Vazquez 6

6’ GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 REAL MADRID - Ilkay Gundogan picked the perfect time to score his first Barcelona goal!!! Real shot themselves in the foot there. Barca tried to amp up the speed of the game, Gundogan looking for a 1-2 with Ferran Torres that could only reach Tchouameni. However, the Frenchman's touch put it back into his own penalty area and Alaba was all out of sorts - his sliding effort barely reached the ball before the German latched on and calmy slotted past Kepa. Game on!

68’ BARCELONA HOLD FIRM - Barcelona have dropped into a back five now with Cancelo at right-back, and Real Madrid still can't prise them open. Eventually Tchouameni got bored and unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the box (England fans will have got some flashbacks there) that Ter Stegen could barely push onto the post.

68’ GOAL! BARCELONA 1-1 REAL MADRID - Can't prise them open... UNTIL NOW! And it's that man Jude Bellingham, who slams an outswinging shot into the top corner from 25 years out!!!

90+2’ GOAL! BARCELONA 1-2 REAL MADRID - OH MY BELLINGHAM!!! He's hit the winner from close-range in his first El Clasico, Modric found him at point-blank range and he fired through Ter Stegen's legs.