Mbappe Double Sinks Barcelona in El Clasico

Kylian Mbappe was the decisive figure in El Clasico, scoring twice as Real Madrid beat Barcelona and handed the visitors their first domestic defeat of the season.

Mbappe gave Madrid the lead before the interval, and the French forward's goal looked like it might be enough to settle a match that had been tightly contested. Barcelona did not accept that. Raphinha's equaliser pulled the Catalan side back level and turned the second half into a test of nerve, with neither team able to build a clear advantage for long periods.

The match was settled late on. Mbappe found the net again to complete his double and send Madrid to victory, a finish that underlined why he has been the focal point of this fixture since arriving at the club. It was the kind of big-match moment that defines a rivalry game.

For Barcelona, the result ends a spotless domestic record and raises immediate questions about how they respond. Their next task will be to show they can bounce back quickly. For Madrid, the three points are only part of the reward. Beating their biggest rival, and doing it through their most high-profile signing, gives the squad a boost that will carry into the coming weeks.