Clásico: Barcelona keeps Real at bay in the title race

Hansi Flick and FC Barcelona have once again dethroned arch-rivals Real Madrid and are close to winning the Spanish title after another spectacular comeback. The German coach's team won their fourth Clásico of the season with a spectacular 4-3 (4-2) victory at the Olympic Stadium on Montjuic, despite an early two-goal deficit, and enters the remaining three games of the season with a seven-point lead over Real.

As in the epic Champions League semifinal clash against Inter Milan, Barça demonstrated outstanding comeback qualities on Sunday. After Kylian Mbappé (5th/penalty, 14th) had put Real Madrid on the right track early on, goals from Eric García (19th), Lamine Yamal (32nd), and Raphinha (34th, 45th) turned the game around in favor of a completely revved-up Catalans before halftime. Mbappé (70th) added another thrilling goal with his third goal.

"It's happened to us a few times this season. We know we can turn things around. The fact that we managed it in the first half was obviously good for us," said Barca midfielder Frenkie de Jong after the game on DAZN: "It was a big step."

While Barça and Flick are now just one win away from the 28th title in the club's history, coach Carlo Ancelotti's era at Real Madrid looks set to end without a title this season. The Italian's departure is considered a done deal, and according to Marca, the appointment of outgoing Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso as his successor has already been finalized.

While Barça was primarily focused on reacting to their 3-4 Champions League exit after extra time, Real Madrid once again took aim at the referee. In almost their usual fashion, the Royals, with the help of their club's own TV channel, hurled accusations at the appointed referee, Alejandro Hernández Hernández. And the 42-year-old immediately found himself at the center of attention.

After less than three minutes, Barça goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who had relegated national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen to the bench, was clearly too late to stop Mbappé in the penalty area. Hernández Hernández quite rightly awarded a penalty. Mbappé converted confidently – and added another shortly after a well-executed counterattack.

But Barça, who had slept through the opening stages, appeared completely unfazed. After García's goal, Flick's team dominated almost at will, while Real Madrid were completely out of sorts. Yamal equalized with a stunning curler, Raphinha did the rest – and the fans on Montjuic were cheering every pass even before the halftime whistle.

With a comfortable lead behind them, Barca initially slowed down in the second half. Only after Mbappé's goal did the hosts regain their attacking momentum. Raphinha (74') failed to find the almost empty net from a few meters out. Mbappé's apparent equalizer (90+2') was ruled out due to an offside position.

RND/SID