The 2025-2026 Liga was almost on the verge of being folded, this Sunday at half-time of the Madrid derby, when FC Barcelona was virtually 7 points ahead of its eternal rival Real, then led by Atlético (0-1). But we were then treated to multiple twists and turns, between an expulsion of Frederico Valverde and an avalanche of great goals, to see the Merengues overturn this derby to win 3-2.
Enough to keep in touch with Barça, still 4 points ahead at the top of La Liga, nine days from the end, after their easy success against Rayo Vallecano (1-0) this Sunday afternoon. At Santiago Bernabeu, the public went through all the emotions during this derby against the hated neighbor. Atlético had corrected Real 5-2 in the first leg, and winter recruit Ademola Lookman put the Colchoneros in pole position on a counter-attack (0-1, 33rd).
Huge «goal» by Nahuel Molina
More enterprising but ineffective, the Real Madrid players made a resounding return from the locker room: Vinicius Junior transformed into force a penalty obtained by Brahim Diaz (1-1, 52nd) then Federico Valverde once again proved formidable in his face-to-face with goalkeeper Juan Musso (2-1, 55th). But these three minutes of madness were not going to spell the end of this derby.
The Argentinian defender of Atlético Nahuel Molina thus offered himself a great goal to put the two teams on an equal footing, with this 25-meter missile into the top corner of Andriy Lunin (2-2, 66th), starting with the injury of Thibaut Courtois. Before Vinicius scored a double after a shift and a curling shot from the opposite angle (3-2, 72nd). Not to mention a final twist with the exclusion of Valverde (77th) for a too strong tackle on Alex Baena.
Kylian Mbappé ready to return to the Blues
With numerical superiority, the Colchoneros broke out in a cold sweat in the stadium. Julian Alvarez smashed Lunin’s post with a long shot (81st), then Alexander Sorloth could have equalized in the final moments (90th + 2). The presence of Kylian Mbappé was more symbolic than truly decisive.
Back after a month of absence due to a knee sprain, the Frenchman was left on the bench at kick-off. After playing 21 minutes on Tuesday in the Champions League at Manchester City (1-2), the captain of the France team and Real’s top scorer this season (38 goals in 34 games), made his entrance in the 63rd minute to the cheers of the supporters.
Our file on Real Madrid
He showed his return to form with accelerations, some ball recoveries and a constant presence at the front of the attack. Something to reassure before the international break and the French team’s trip to the United States for two friendly matches, against Brazil on Thursday and Colombia on Sunday. A thrilling end to the season will follow, with the clash of the Champions League quarters against Bayern Munich and the outcome of La Liga. Obviously with the Clasico on May 10 at the Camp Nou in their sights.
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