Real Madrid reduced Barcelona’s advantage to three points with a 2-1 victory at Camp Nou, as Kylian Mbappe scored twice in a spectacular Clasico.
Andriy Lunin started in goal for the visitors because Thibaut Courtois was ill and unavailable. The two sides initially settled into a cautious contest, with a closely fought first half producing few clear chances.
Real Madrid created the opening opportunities, but Joan Garcia was well positioned to keep them out. Barcelona were then forced into an early change when right-back Xavi Espart went off injured before the half-hour mark, with Alejandro Balde taking his place.
The match opened up towards the interval and Real Madrid eventually took the lead after a fine attacking move. Barcelona appeared to have escaped the danger, but Gerard Martin’s attempted clearance struck Mbappe and flew into the net, leaving Joan Garcia beaten.
Mbappe celebrated the goal despite the fortuitous finish, while Lamine Yamal immediately had a chance to level. However, he failed to hit the target from close range.
Both teams began the second half with the same line-ups, meaning the Dutch players remained among the substitutes. Mbappe thought he had found two early openings after the restart, but Barcelona’s defence held firm on each occasion.
Barcelona drew level shortly after the hour mark through Raphinha. The Brazilian finished with a powerful strike after a quickly taken corner, giving Lunin no chance and restoring the hosts’ threat in front of goal.
The equaliser was followed by a memorable moment for Dumfries, who came on for Federico Valverde to make his first appearance in a Clasico. Barcelona took control thereafter and looked capable of turning the game around, but Lunin produced an outstanding save to deny the home side a second goal.
A little over seventy minutes later, De Jong also returned to the pitch. He replaced Fermin Lopez after a lengthy injury absence following the World Cup.
For much of the closing stages, the game appeared destined to finish level. That changed in the 88th minute when Eduardo Camavinga used his strength and pace to set up Mbappe, who only had to tap the ball into an empty net to make it 2-1.
The result gave Real Madrid their first victory over Barcelona in the match and inflicted the Catalan club’s first league defeat of the season. It also narrowed the gap between the historic rivals to three points.
Barcelona will play their next home league match against Deportivo Alaves on Saturday, 31 October. Real Madrid will travel to face Racing de Santander.