Barcelona vs Real Madrid LIVE: El Clasico result and reaction after seven-goal thriller
Barcelona bounce back from Champions League semi-final defeat to win seven-goal thriller in El Clasico
Barcelona got the better of Real Madrid for the fourth time this season - securing the quadruple for the first time since 1982-83 - as they won El Clasico 4-3 to take a huge step towards securing the La Liga title.
Barcelona are now seven points clear of Real Madrid having bounced back in style from Tuesday’s gut-wrenching Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan at San Siro.
With only three La Liga matches remaining Real Madrid are on course for a trophyless season after a disappointing campaign from Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but they went 2-0 up within 15 minutes after a horror start by Barcelona.
Keeper Wojciech Szczesny brought down Kylian Mbappe within the opening five minutes and the striker put the visitors ahead from the spot, doubling their lead ten minutes later. But from there Barca recovered brilliantly, with goals from Eric Garcia and Lamine Yamal and a double by Raphinha completing another stunning comeback inside the first half, before Mbappe secured a hat-trick with the only goal after the restart.
Fermin Lopez looked to have secured a fifth for the hosts in stoppage time before it was disallowed for handball, while Mbappe had a fourth disallowed himself as Real fought back in the closing stages.
Relive all the action here:
El Clasico
Barcelona have had the beating of Real Madrid three times already this season and will feel confident they can make it four and extend their advantage at the top of La Liga to seven points.
Hansi Flick’s team thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the previous league Clasico, while they also hammered Ancelotti’s men 5-2 to win the Spanish Super Cup before fighting back from behind to win a dramatic Copa del Rey final last month.
Confirmed Real Madrid starting line-up
Arda Guler is handed a rare start fotr Real Madrid, replacing Rodrygo! Dani Ceballos is also preferred to Luka Modric.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Asencio, Garcia; Valverde, Ceballos; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe
Barcelona aim to put damaging Champions League exit behind them
A win today would be the perfect comeback for Barcelona after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan in an instant classic on Tuesday night.
They were moments away from a first Champions League final in 10 years, leading 3-2 until the dying moments of stoppage time, before falling 4-3 (7-6 on aggregate) in extra time, ending a breathless contest over both legs.
Here’s how it unfolded:
How Inter stunned Barcelona: from VAR controversy to dramatic late goal
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Today’s El Clasico is set to be another blockbuster: victory for Barcelona would put them another crucial step closer to sealing the La Liga title, with only three league matches remaining after today.
The Catalan side are four points clear of Real Madrid, who must close the gap to avoid suffering the ignominy of a trophyless season.
How to watch
Viewers in the UK can watch today’s El Clasico on Premier Sports. Monthly or annual packages are available, with a monthly package starting at £15.99.
Kick off is at 3:15pm BST on Sunday 11 May, at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona.
Good afternoon
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s liveblog of El Clasico, as Barcelona look to bounce back from Tuesday’s heartbreaking Champions League exit and seal the La Liga title at the expense of their fiercest rivals.
Follow all the build-up and action right here.
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