El Clasico Chaos: Penalty Drama, VAR Shifts, and Madrid’s 2-1 Triumph Over Barca
26 October 2025
Match recap
Real Madrid edged Barcelona 2-1 in a Clasico at the Santiago Bernabéu, snapping a four-game losing streak in the fixture and sending a message across La Liga. Early in the game, a Madrid-backed moment sparked controversy when Vinícius Júnior went down in the box after a challenge from Lamine Yamal, and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot. A quick VAR review followed, and the decision was overturned, denying Madrid the early advantage.
According to Alfonso Pérez Burrull, the Radio Marca analyst quoted in the broadcast, Vinícius had the advantage and Yamal did not touch the ball, arguing that the correct call would have been to award the penalty to Real Madrid. The episode set the tone for a match full of dissected moments and heated debate.
The controversy continued as VAR reviewed a later development: a Mbappé strike for Madrid that was ruled offside, a decision Burrull and many others viewed as a correct application of the rules, ending Madrid’s chance at an early breakthrough.
In the ensuing minutes, Fermín López gave Barcelona the lead in the 38th minute, signaling a shift in the balance of play and injecting tension into the stands. Madrid responded in the ensuing minutes, with Jude Bellingham leveling the score in the 43rd minute after a sequence of pressure and careful build-up.
As the second half unfolded, a contentious handball by Eric García inside the Barca box sparked renewed debate. Burrull argued that the defender’s arm was raised in an unnatural position, signaling that a clear penalty should have been awarded for Real Madrid, though the official did not call it after the VAR review. The clash intensified as Madrid pressed for a second goal.
Moments later, a second Real Madrid goal by Bellingham delivered the decisive edge. Barcelona claimed a prior foul in the buildup, but Burrull maintained that the goal stood after checks, contributing to a sense of unresolved tension around the decision-making process on the night.
Real Madrid closed out the contest with a clinically executed finish and held off Barça’s late attempts. The result left Madrid on 27 points at the top of La Liga, while Barcelona remained on 22, five points behind the leaders.
Alonso’s post-match remarks
Xabi Alonso spoke to the press with calm confidence after securing his first Clasico win as Madrid’s coach, emphasizing that the victory was earned through mental toughness and future potential. “I’m very happy for the players; they needed to know they can win big matches like this. It’s a deserved win, though perhaps not by the entire margin of the game,” he stated, adding that there is still a long road ahead and a need to remain level-headed.
Alonso praised the team’s discipline and character, noting the energy in the stadium and the importance of maintaining focus on the points that matter. “We generated chances, carried the game with conviction, and kept a strong defensive shape even when Barca pressed,” he said, underscoring the project’s ongoing development and the crucial role of the fans in shaping the atmosphere.
Valuation of individual performance
The press conference also highlighted Jude Bellingham’s outstanding display and his impact in multiple phases of play. Alonso added that Bellingham’s dual threat—score and assist—embodies the kind of player the project relies on for its long-term evolution, while acknowledging Vinícius Júnior’s performance as a catalyst for Madrid’s momentum throughout the match.
In closing, Alonso reflected on Vinícius’s substitution moment, affirming that there will be discussions within the squad but emphasizing the need to keep focus on the league and the challenges ahead. The coach’s message was consistent: maintain balance, trust the process, and keep fighting for points in every fixture.
