Carlo Ancelotti's side were thoroughly outclassed and lost to their arch rivals for the fourth time this season
Real Madrid endured a defensive nightmare while Jude Bellingham went missing in the most chaotic of Clasicos, Los Blancos defeated 4-3 in a game that effectively handed arch-rivals Barcelona the league title. Despite the apparent closeness of the scoreline, Carlo Ancelotti's side were never truly in it - despite a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick - outpassed, outplayed, and outclassed by a rampant Barca side that did everything to show why they deserve to win La Liga.
Madrid were comfortable for about 15 minutes. Everything looked good after five, Kylian Mbappe bursting behind Barca's high line and rounding Wojciech Szczesny - before seeing his legs clipped. The Frenchman converted the ensuing penalty with ease. He made it two soon after, another direct run and clinical finish. But Los Blancos never looked truly in control, and Barca woke up.
Their first came from some poor defending, Eric Garcia ghosting in front of a stranded Raul Asencio to nod home. Lamine Yamal provided the second, and finished 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 the break to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 lead.
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But Madrid stuck around. A more resolute defensive showing in the second half afforded them space going the other way. Vinicius and Mbappe combined for the third, the Frenchman handed an easy tap in after some shoddy Barca defending. The home side 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 - debutant Victor Munoz smashing wide when offered a clear opportunity to level the game.
Los Blancos didn't deserve it, though. They were too loose, too open, and thoroughly outplayed. The title is all-but over.
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