Barcelona 4–3 Real Madrid Player Ratings: Barcelona’s Front Three Get the Better of Real Madrid in an Entertaining El Clasico

Barcelona stands on the brink of the La Liga title as they beat Real Madrid 4-3 in an exciting El Clásico at home. They produced an excellent comeback after going down by two goals. Real Madrid stormed into a two-goal lead as they caught Barcelona's defence napping. Kylian Mbappe converted a penalty and fired a fine finish to quickly double Los Blancos' lead. Barcelona hit back immediately through Eric Garcia from a corner. Barcelona completed the comeback as their two-star men, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, ran riot. Yamal curled home a beautiful finish to equalize the game before Raphinha scored twice to give them a fabulous two-goal lead before halftime. The half had incredible goals as well as shocking mistakes from individuals, as the El Clásico once again lived up to its billing of the best game in the world.

The second half was relatively calmer, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. Barcelona unusually tried to slow down the game as they were visibly fatigued after all the football they'd been playing. Real Madrid took advantage of it and got a goal back as Mbappe finished his hat-trick. This forced Barcelona to wake up as they pushed for a killing goal. However, it was not to be as the game ended 4-3 in their favour. They whitewashed Real Madrid this season by winning all four El Clásicos.

Barcelona returned to Spain after a heartbreaking loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals. Hansi Flick's side battled the odds and injuries to take a lead late in the game. However, they failed to sustain the momentum as they crashed out. They had to turn on the afterburners to get the better of their archrivals in a crucial league contest. A win would put them on the brink of the league title, and a defeat could completely reshape the title race. The Catalans were still without many starters and had to depend on youth and players out of position to get the job done.

Real Madrid won four consecutive games in the league to keep hanging around Barcelona in the league table. This was their final chance to close Barcelona down in a bid to defend their title. Real Madrid lost all three El Clásicos this season, and two of them were cup finals. They had pride on the line as well to avoid a whitewash against a tired Barcelona side. Their star forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr were the key pieces against the high line of Barcelona to record a win.

The game had an electric start as both sides traded punch for punches without holding back. Mbappe made merry of Barcelona's high line as he scored a brace within the opening 15 minutes. Dani Ceballos pinched possession and sent a harmless cross towards the box as Pau Cubarsi made a meal of it. Mbappe was on hand to pounce on it, and Barcelona's keeper Wojciech Szczesny desperately came out and took out Mbappe, conceding a penalty.

In Real Madrid's latest penalty Russian Roulette, Mbappe himself stepped up and found the bottom left corner to open the scoring. Barcelona responded strongly as Eric Garcia had a chance. However, the influential Yamal lost the ball in his own half, allowing Federico Valverde to launch a quick counterattack.

Vinicius took on his winger and slipped in a lovely pass for Mbappe, who curled one past the keeper to double his tally for the day. There was controversy on the sidelines as Barcelona's camp felt Yamal was fouled in the buildup. The home side was shell-shocked, but they kept their calm and found a response through Eric Garcia. The right-back became an unlikely source of goals for them as he was on hand to turn home a flick on won by Ferran Torres from a corner. The scoreline was 1-2 even before the 20th-minute mark was breached.

Barcelona seized control of the game as they battled hard for an equaliser. Thibaut Courtois had to be at his best to keep denying the opposition. There was the usual Clasico flair as Valverde lunged into Yamal to get booked. The hosts turned up the heat as they dealt a one-two punch. The next two goals gave them the lead this time.

Yamal wrote another glorious chapter in his nascent career as he exceptionally found the bottom corner with a curler after receiving a pass from Torres. Real Madrid had only themselves to blame as Mbappe and Ceballos ran into each other, allowing Barcelona to steal possession. Pedri launched a fine pass towards Raphinha, who danced past Madrid's out-of-shape defence. The talisman produced a driven finish beneath Courtois to complete the comeback as Barcelona led the game 3-2. They were surely looking like the favourites to score the next goal and seal the game. However, there was over an hour of action left, and Barcelona's recent defensive performances weren't oozing confidence. They got away with a penalty scare as Mbappe was offside in the action that resulted in the visitors getting a penalty.

Raphinha had the last laugh in the first half as he doubled his tally. Lucas Vazquez was caught dangling on the ball by Raphinha, who played a one-two with Torres before finishing ruthlessly from six yards out. Torres picked up his third assist of the game as well with a cute reverse pass. Barcelona ended the half with a two-goal lead after going two down an eternity ago.

Real Madrid made a couple of changes at the break as Ancelotti sought some control in the middle. Luka Modric provided him with that comfort as Barcelona settled into a defensive shape as well. The Catalans were running on fumes after playing 120 minutes midweek against Inter Milan. It allowed Real Madrid to keep probing and find a response through Mbappe. Vinicius squared off in the box for the Frenchman to complete a fine hat-trick and breathe some life into the game.

Barcelona realized they had to up the ante as the game wasn't done yet. Their forwards continued their assault again. Torres thought he won a penalty as his shot ricocheted off Aurelien Tchouameni's arm. The referee was asked to consult with the monitor to change his decision of no penalty. But after a long look, the referee stayed with his original call of no penalty and denied VAR's suggestion. This set up an interesting 10 minutes as Real Madrid found a new gear to equalize the game.

Real Madrid's substitute Victor Munoz had a great chance to level the game, but he fluffed his lines on a break. They even had the ball in the back of the net from a corner, but the flag went up, saving Barcelona's blushes.

Barcelona whitewash rivals Real Madrid in all four clashes this season. This victory feels sweeter than ever, knowing it puts them on the brink of the league title. They could win the league next week with a victory against Catalan rivals Espanyol. Real Madrid could even make their job easier if they fail to take all three points a day before against Mallorca.

Real Madrid were embarrassed by the Catalans yet again this season. They failed to defend their crown and must pray for a miraculous collapse from Barcelona to have a chance again. Los Blancos will take on Mallorca next in the league.

Here are the Barcelona vs Real Madrid Player Ratings.

Barcelona Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

GK- Wojciech Szczesny- 5/10

The goalkeeper had no option but to take out Kylian Mbappe as Cubarsi missed a routine ball. He was no match for the second goal as well.

RB- Eric Garcia- 7.5/10

The right-back became an unlikely saviour for his side as he followed up on midweek's goalscoring exploits by scoring the first goal. Defensively, he was found wanting at times against Vinicius.

CB- Pau Cubarsi- 6/10

Continued his string of mistakes as he missed a simple pass coming towards him, directly leading to the first goal. Stepped up at the right time to catch the opposition offside.

CB- Inigo Martinez- 6/10

The veteran centre-back tried to impose some calm amidst a chaotic football pitch that resembled a war zone. He won his tackles and did well to deal with late runners.

LB- Gerard Martin- 6/10

The left-back enjoyed a lot of freedom in attack as Madrid had very little attacking threat on their right. He had a thunderous effort palmed away by Courtois.

DM- Frenkie de Jong- 7/10

The Dutchman was relieved that Mbappe was in an offside position as he committed a foul that gave away a penalty. Was at his influential best in the middle of the park with passing.

DM- Pedri- 7.5/10

The midfield magician ran tirelessly as he won the ball with high pressing and distributed it smartly to put Madrid under pressure. His lovely pass for Raphinha's first goal showed his quality.

RW- Lamine Yamal- 8.5/10

The teenager lost the ball in the buildup to Madrid's second goal and showed responsibility by scoring a fantastic left-footed effort. His big game moments deserve a new book already. He linked up with Raphinha extremely well by playing some lovely crosses.

CAM- Dani Olmo- 6/10

A key component of Barcelona's high press, he was the first to pull the trigger whenever there was a loose touch from a white shirt. However, he failed to get anything tangible as the other forwards ran riot.

LW- Raphinha- 9/10

The talisman's eye for big goals came to the fore again as he scored twice in quick succession to give his side the lead. Both were well-taken finishes, and he kept running all game, hounding the opposition for mistakes.

ST - Ferran Torres-9/10

The Spaniard played the role of a conductor as he allowed his wingers to thrive. Picked up three assists in the first half with some great work. Won a flick on for Garcia's goal, squared it for Yamal and played a lovely reverse pass for Raphinha. He would've loved to score as well.

SUB- Alejandro Balde- 6/10

SUB- Andreas Christensen- 6/10

SUB- Hector Fort- 6/10

SUB- Fermin Lopez- 6/10

SUB- Gavi- 6/10

Manager- Hansi Flick- 8/10

His frustrations were boiling over after they conceded twice early in the game. The Highline approach was going against them, but he didn't abandon it. His forwards took care of the scoring as they scored four before the first half ended. A more calmer approach in the second half to see off the game.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Barcelona

GK- Thibaut Courtois- 5/10

Made a couple of wonderful saves to keep out Yamal and Martin early on. However, he was no match for all four efforts that went past him.

RB- Lucas Vazquez- 4.5/10

He was having a nightmare on the field as the opposition pressed him into a mistake for the fourth goal. Offensively, he failed to stitch a couple of passes together.

CB- Aurelien Tchouameni- 6/10

He was back at the heart of defence yet again after enjoying some time in his preferred midfield. Had to use his recovery pace at times to deal with the dangerous attackers.

CB- Raul Asencio- 6/10

Went toe to toe with the forwards and won a couple of challenges early on. He failed to put up much resistance as the Catalans found spaces around him with ease. Had many crucial interventions in the second half.

LB- Fran Garcia- 5.5/10

Started the game with full of intent and potent passing. Once Yamal got going, he was having a long day as he failed to get going in either offence or defence.

DM- Federico Valverde- 6/10

Won the ball from Yamal in the lead-up to the second goal for them. Was engaged in a gruesome tackle and got a yellow card. Couldn't control Madrid's midfield at all.

DM- Dani Ceballos- 4.5/10

Handed a rare start, he played the ball towards the box for the first goal. Pretty much struggled to get even a sniff of the ball afterwards. He collided with Mbappe as Madrid lost the ball to concede their third goal. Was hooked off at halftime.

RW- Arda Guler- 5/10

He was as anonymous as it gets in the attack for Real Madrid as the play gravitated towards their left. Failed to provide much offensively and was replaced at the break.

CAM- Jude Bellingham- 6/10

He was given a rough reception in the middle by Barcelona's pivot, who controlled him well. Rarely got the chance to drive forward with the ball and was poor defensively as well.

LW- Vinicius Jr- 7.5/10

The Brazilian started the game well with a lovely through ball for Mbappe. The duo were threatening whenever they were on the ball, but his side failed to do it regularly. He didn't offer a helping hand to Garcia against Yamal.

ST- Kylian Mbappe- 9/10

Scored a fantastic hat-trick as he was the only outlet for them. Was fired up to get another to level the game as well. The goals were well taken as well as he took on Barcelona's high line. His clash with Ceballos paved the way for Barcelona's third goal.

SUB- Luka Modric- 6.5/10

SUB- Brahim Diaz- 6/10

SUB- Endrick- 6/10

SUB- Victor Munoz- /10

Manager- Carlo Ancelotti- 4/10

His side were delighted to take a two-goal lead, but the concerns over defence came true. He had no response as his side made mistake after mistake on the ball. Lost all four Clasicos in a humiliating feat.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Raphinha