Real Madrid moved 11 points clear of Barcelona in La Liga with their 3-2 victory over the Clasico, which was won by Jude Bellingham.
The England midfielder’s first La Liga title in his debut year at the team is now only a matter of time.
With six games remaining, Real Madrid can even take it easy in the league and focus on their semi-final Champions League matchup with Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich.
“The cake is baked; all we need to do now is add the cherry,” Carlo Ancelotti declared prior to kickoff. Bellingham accomplished that in extra time with his 21st goal overall.
Both teams appeared exhausted after their Champions League efforts the previous week, and after Lucas Vazquez tied the score at two goals apiece in the second half, it appeared as though a draw would occur.
However, the Bellingham motor lacks an off switch because the legs are unable to recognize when to stop running, and he had the final say.
The England midfielder had only scored twice since the year’s beginning, but he came to win this second Clasico of the season, just as he had won the first, with a brace in the encounter at Montjuic. This came after he set the absurd early season pace of 17 goals in his first 20 matches.
Ancelotti grinned after the game, saying, “The best part was the last part.” Bellingham scores the go-ahead goal. For us, this week has been truly unforgettable.
After just six minutes, Andreas Christensen headed in Raphinha’s corner to give Barcelona the perfect start. The former Chelsea center back headed past Andriy Lunin after Toni Kroos, his defender, gave him space at the back post.
After Pau Cubarsi took down Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius scored from the penalty spot to tie the score for Real Madrid and end Marc Andre ter Stegen’s 600-minute league shutout streak.
Making his Clasico debut, Lucas had gone past Joao Cancelo and had drawn the foul from the 17-year-old defender, Cubarsi.
When Lamine Yamal headed Raphinha’s corner goalward, Barcelona appeared to have seized the lead again. The 16-year-old celebrated, but since La Liga lacks goal-line technology, there was no clear replay available.
Fermin Lopez scored for Barcelona in the second half to give them the lead again. However, the lead was short lived as Lucas scored from Vinicius’ cross after five minutes, sending Barcelona into chase mode. They needed to win to have any hope of dragging the title fight into the final weeks of the season.
Barcelona needed the goal, but Bellingham continued to guide Real Madrid forward, and when Lucas’ cross passed Joselu in the six-yard box, he scored the game’s winning goal into the roof of the net.
With 91 minutes remaining, Barcelona’s chances of winning the match and their season were officially over. Now, the question is not if Madrid will win the league, but rather when.