Overview
- Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappé scoring in the 41st minute and again in the 87th to clinch the victory.
- Barcelona's Raphinha levelled in the 61st minute but the hosts could not convert heavy possession into a winning chance against Madrid's organised defence.
- Mourinho instructed a low block that ceded the ball to Barcelona and relied on fast transitions, a plan that produced higher quality chances and the decisive counter that led to the winner.
- Madrid started Andriy Lunin after Thibaut Courtois withdrew with flu and played without suspended winger Vinicius Junior, with Eduardo Camavinga's late cut-back creating Mbappé's second goal.
- The result ended Barcelona's perfect domestic run, moved Real Madrid to within three points of the leaders, and raises questions about Barcelona's finishing and defensive choices going into upcoming fixtures.