Bellingham inspires Real Madrid to action-packed Clasico win over Barcelona

Jude Bellingham starred with a goal and assist as Real Madrid claimed a deserved 2-1 win against Barcelona in an incident-packed first Clasico of the season to go five points clear on top of La Liga.

The England star set up Kylian Mbappe’s opener with a superb through ball, before his compatriot Marcus Rashford created Fermin Lopez’s leveller for Barcelona in a historic first Clasico clash featuring two Englishmen on opposing teams.

Bellingham tapped in what proved to be the winner late in the first half for his second goal in two games and Mbappe had a glorious chance to extend their lead from the penalty spot after the break, only to be denied by Wojciech Szczesny.

A fifth win in a row in all competitions moves Real Madrid onto 27 points at the summit of La Liga, five clear of Barcelona with 22, ahead of their home clash with Valencia next Saturday. Barcelona host Elche next.

A breathless first half started as it meant to go on when Real Madrid had a penalty awarded and then chalked off following a VAR intervention, before Mbappe’s stunning long-range strike was disallowed for offside.

The hosts’ pressure didn’t take long to pay off, with Bellingham the creator and Mbappe the finisher as the French star raced onto a perfect through ball before firing into the bottom corner.

Szczesny was kept busy as Barcelona found themselves under pressure, but they pulled themselves back into the game when Rashford brilliantly teed up Lopez in a crowded box, who hammered home to draw level.

A frantic match remained level for just five minutes before a high cross to the back post was headed back across goal for Bellingham to tap in and conclude a brilliant first half from the England star.

Bellingham was straight into the thick of the action after the break, winning Real a penalty when the ball rebounded off him onto the hand of the sliding Eric Garcia, but Mbappe’s spot kick was expertly saved by a stretching Szczesny.

The Englishman had the ball in the net for a second time midway through the half, but the offside flag was up as Real pushed for a third.

Real’s Brazilian star Vinicius was left furious when Xabi Alonso replaced him with 18 minutes to go, shouting and gesticulating towards the bench before storming down the tunnel – only to later return and take a seat on the bench. 

A one-goal margin led to a nervy finish, but Real Madrid held on as Pedri was sent off late on for a second bookable offence before tensions spilled over at the full-time whistle as the opposing benches were involved in a fiery touchline fracas.

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His side deserved the win today, and the numbers demonstrate that too.

Despite having just 32% possession, they were by far the more dangerous side, with several goals disallowed and Szczesny producing a string of good saves, including on Mbappe's penalty.

It all got a bit heated at the end there, but there doesn't seem to have been anything more serious than a bit of shoving and shouting. No post-match red cards to report, which is usually a good sign, although Andriy Lunin did get booked despite not playing.

REAL CLAIM EL CLASICO

No end of players, including Lamine Yamal and Vinicius, are exchanging words down there. And not in a friendly way.

Replays show Vinicius losing his cool and being held back after gesturing at a Barca counterpart.

A deserved Clasico win for Real! Mbappe and Bellingham's goals make it five wins in a row as tensions spill over between the two sets of players and staff.

He got away with it a couple of mintues ago, but not now. The second yellow comes out, Pedri is sent off for a late challenge, and all hell breaks loose on the touchline as the two benches empty for a bit of a fracas.

Frustration showing there - but Barca are now pouring numbers forward!

The Polish keeper has been in fine form tonight and once again rescues his side by flying to his left to push away a curling free-kick from Rodrygo. Real are almost there...

The midfielder has already been booked and the home crowd are demanding a second yellow for the midfielder as he concedes a foul outside his box, but it is not forthcoming from the referee.

He cuts in from the left and hits it low, but Szczesny saves to keep Barca in this.

The Catalans immediately go up the other end and win a corner as Casado's shot cannons off Camavinga's chest, but it comes to nothing.

Bellingham's race is run as Ceballos comes on, and Mbappe is also replaced by Garcia.

The Bernabeu crowd rises to its feet to applaud their two goalscoring heroes.

Alonso's side now have to navigate NINE minutes of added time to get this win in the bag.

A wonder-ball from Yamal from deep finds the run of Kounde, who chests it down six yards from goal, only for Courtois to be sharp enough to gather. A huge warning for the Real Madrid defence that this is not job done yet.

A beautiful first touch from Mbappe to push himself into space beyond the Barca backline, but he steers a left-footed finish wide of the far post. A tricky one from that angle.

The midfielder is struggling with cramp and play grinds to a halt. Real will be fine with that.

Araujo blasts well wide from about 40 yards - got to love the ambition.

Here comes another Barcelona change, teenage talent Bardghji coming on for Cubarsi for the closing exchanges.

Vinicius has at least now returned to the Real Madrid substitute's bench to watch the rest of the game.

On the pitch, Mbappe breaks away down the left but has his finish blocked by Araujo, before Tchouameni's follow-up effort is also blocked.

That reaction from Vinicius to his substitution is sure to be a big talking point after the game.

The Englishman thought he had his second goal of the night, only to be denied by the flag.

Real have dominated this Clasico, but with 15 minutes to go there is just one goal in it.

Rashford has moved into a central role after the removal of Ferran as Barca look for a way back into the game.