Jude Bellingham netted twice on his ElClasico debut as Real Madrid rallied from behind to defeat rivals FC Barcelona 2-1 on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: FC Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Date: 28 October 2023
Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti recalled David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni after the UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday night.
Barcelona, meanwhile, had Robert Lewandowski on the bench as Andrea Christensen, Alejandro Balde and Gavi returning to the side after the win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
It was the home side who took the lead after just six minutes as Ilkay Gundogan pounced a on a loose ball to go clear on goal and slot past Kepa for his first goal in Barcelona colours.
The game opened up after that as Xavi Hernandez's charges went close to doubling their lead when Fermin Lopez struck the woodwork, while Jude Bellingham got on the end of Vinicius' cross and headed over the crossbar.
The first half was played at a lively tempo throughout the first half, but the defending champions looked a bit more threatening, especially with Joao Felix down the flanks.
Xavi's charges carried that momentum into the second half and were nearly rewarded with a second goal as Ronald Araujo saw his close-range strike turned onto the upright by Kepa's finger tips.
Ancelotti responded with a double change after the hour mark as Luka Modric and Joselu replaced by Kroos and Rodrygo, while Barcelona threw on Lewandowski for Ferran Torres.
Los Blancos got back on terms in the 69th minute as Bellingham bagged his ninth league goal of the season with a superb strike from distance that left Marc-Andre ter Stegen with no chance.
The day belonged to Bellingham, who popped up with the winning goal in second-half stoppage time by volleying home Dani Carvajal's deflected cross.
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