Mbappe double beats Barcelona as Real Madrid cut La Liga gap to three points

Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 at the Camp Nou on Sunday, cutting the gap between the rivals to three points in La Liga. His late winner secured a result that ended Barcelona's nine-match unbeaten run in domestic competition, according to BBC Sport's report of the Clasico.

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The meeting had offered Barcelona an opportunity to move nine points clear of Madrid. Instead, the defending champions saw their advantage reduced as Jose Mourinho's side claimed only their second victory in the past eight games against Barcelona. Mbappe supplied both Madrid goals, with Mourinho celebrating the decisive strike with a knee slide.

For Mourinho, the result extended an unbeaten sequence in this fixture that stretches across his two spells as Madrid manager. He has now recorded four wins and two draws in his past six Clasicos in charge of the club. BBC Sport reported that he is only the third Madrid coach to go six consecutive meetings with Barcelona without defeat, following Miguel Munoz and Vicente del Bosque.

Mourinho returned to Madrid this summer, 13 years after his previous spell. After Sunday's victory, he framed the result around the league campaign rather than the significance of winning at the Camp Nou alone. He credited his players' work and readiness, saying the team had won through composure and merit rather than fortune. He also urged them to maintain their level without getting carried away by this result.

The Madrid manager highlighted the combination of different qualities in his midfield as an important part of the performance. In comments carried by the BBC, he said that balance helped his team both when defending and when attacking. His overall Clasico record now includes six victories and six defeats, alongside the unbeaten run spanning his most recent six matches in the fixture.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said his players lacked freshness after a demanding period, while stressing that he did not want to offer excuses. He pointed to small details as decisive in major matches and called for improved recovery and training. Barcelona must now respond to the defeat with Madrid three points behind them.