Barcelona inched closer to the league title as they came back from two goals down to defeat Real Madrid despite Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick in an entertaining Clasico.
Real Madrid were ahead 2-0 in 14 minutes with Mbappe bagging a brace, but Barca hit four by half-time, one apiece for Eric Garcia and Lamine Yamal, and two for Raphinha.
Mbappe scored again with 20 minutes to go, to take his club total in all competitions to 39, the most goals by a Real Madrid player in his debut season – and Barca’s Fermin Lopez had a goal ruled out for handball in a nervy finish.
Hansi Flick named an unchanged lineup following their Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan on Tuesday, and in the first half looked a shadow of themselves.
Mbappe converted from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Barcelona goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny and added a second after running on to Vinicius Junior’s through ball in behind Barcelona’s defensive line.
Garcia halved the deficit with a header from a corner in the 19th minute, before Lamine Yamal produced his latest piece of brilliance, by curling a beautiful effort beyond Thibaut Courtois in Madrid’s goal.
Barca took the lead less than two minutes later when Raphinha found space on the left of the box – after Mbappe and Lucas Vazquez collided into each other under pressure, and sent the ball past Courtois.
The Brazilian then headed over Yamal’s cross, but made no mistake in converting Ferran Torres’ cut-back after stealing possession from Vazquez.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick from close range to move two goals clear in the race to be La Liga’s top scorer, before Raphinha missed a sitter from a few yards out at the other end.
Victor Munoz, Madrid’s 21-year-old substitute, fired over when sent through on goal, before Mbappe forced Szczesny into a smart low stop.
Fermin Lopez looked to have scored a brilliant fifth, but a VAR check ruled it out for handball in the build-up.
Having already beaten Real Madrid in La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup final and the Copa del Rey final this season, Barca equalled the record they set in 1982-83 of winning four El Clasicos in a single campaign.
Victory now takes Barca seven points clear of their arch-rivals with three games to play.