Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid: Mbappe hat-trick not enough as Raphinha double edges Blaugrana towards the title

Raphinha scored twice as Barcelona roared back from 2-0 down to beat Real Madrid in an extraordinary Clasico and put one hand on the Liga trophy.

It looked like Madrid would reduce Barca’s gap at the top of the table to a solitary point when Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the first 15 minutes as Madrid came roaring out of the traps.

But Barcelona simply regrouped and then overwhelmed a Madrid side who must now hope for a miracle if they are not to end the season empty-handed.

Eric Garcia and Lamine Yamal also scored for Barca with Mbappe completing his hat-trick, as well as having a last-gasp equaliser ruled out.

FULL TIME!!!! #ElClásico pic.twitter.com/WXks2YU370

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 11, 2025

Mbappe opens scoring from the penalty spot

The game sparked into life after just four minutes. A mistake from Pau Cubarsi allowed Mbappe to run through on goal only for his progress to be halted by a crude tackle from the advancing Wojciech Szczesny.

The Pole guessed the right way but could do little to prevent Mbappe’s well-struck penalty finding the corner.

Gerard Martin almost created an equaliser with a low cross that both Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo just failed to convert with the goal gaping.

Mbappe showed them how it was done a minute later, finishing superbly to cap an excellent move from Madrid.

Federico Valverde stole the ball from Yamal before picking out Vinicius Jr and the Brazil star curled a delicious pass into the path of Mbappe who made no mistake from the edge of the area.

Barca’s loud protests for the goal to be ruled out for a foul on Yamal fell on deaf ears but they used their frustration effectively by halving the deficit shortly afterwards.

Barca comeback gets going

Thibaut Courtois produced a stunning save to keep out a Yamal volley but from the resulting corner, Torres’ flick at the near post was turned in by Garcia.

Barca were dominating possession and Yamal conjured up another moment of magic to bring his side level after 32 minutes. Torres ran out of space inside the Madrid area and played the ball back to Yamal, who fired in a brilliant, curling effort that flew past Courtois’ outstretched palm.

Two minutes later and Barca scored again.

Dani Ceballos and Mbappe collided, coughing up possession to Pedri and his through ball found Raphinha and he made no mistake.

Madrid appeared shellshocked but they nearly hit back after 43 minutes. Garcia brought down Mbappe in the area but after the spot-kick was awarded, the VAR overturned Alejandro Hernández Hernández’s initial decision for an offside in the build-up.

Madrid’s frustration increased further a minute later when Raphinha scored his second of the afternoon with a crisp finish after neat interplay involving Torres.

Yamal shot wide and then saw an effort ruled out for offside as Barca threatened every time they came forward at the start of the second half.

The danger for the hosts was the pace of Mbappe on the break and the France captain almost reduced the arrears after 56 minutes, cutting inside Cubarsi before firing inches wide.

It’s cold at the top. pic.twitter.com/4kM94g979c

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 11, 2025

Mbappe completes terrific treble

Mbappe did complete his hat-trick, and set up a grandstand finish, with 20 minutes to go.

Substitute Luka Modric lifted the ball over the top of the Barca defence for Vinicius Jr to run on to and his low cross was inch-perfect for Mbappe to tap home.

Raphinha ought to have had a treble of his own but somehow fired over the bar from two yards out as Madrid just about remained in the contest.

Referee Hernández Hernández opted not to overturn his initial decision of no-penalty against Aurelien Tchouameni – the Frenchman deemed not to have deliberately used his arm to stop a Torres shot – despite being called to the pitch side monitor, paving the way for a thrilling climax in which Madrid came so, so close to an equaliser.

Mbappe played substitute Victor Munoz through on goal but the youngster fluffed his lines, slashing his shot well wide.

Szczesny then saved well from Mbappe before the former Paris Saint-Germain star saw a 94th-minute effort ruled out for offside.

The drama still was still not over with the referee also disallowing a Fermin Lopez goal for handball as Barca held on.