Mbappe's 88th-minute winner seals Mourinho's El Clásico triumph as Real Madrid end Barcelona's unbeaten run

Kylian Mbappe struck twice to give Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou on Saturday, ending the La Liga leaders’ unbeaten start to the season and prompting José Mourinho to reprise one of football’s most recognisable celebrations — a knee slide on the Camp Nou turf.

Mourinho was taking charge of El Clásico for the first time since returning to the Real Madrid dugout, 13 years after his first spell at the club ended. His players delivered a statement performance to match the occasion, with Mbappe’s late winner drawing an emotional reaction from the 63-year-old manager, who dropped to his knees and punched the air in a scene that echoed his iconic celebration after Inter Milan’s Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona in 2010.

“It was the most difficult match, against the highest quality opponent, one that had only won in the league,” Mourinho said afterwards. “For us, it’s the victory with the most impressive performance.”

Real dominated the early exchanges, and the opener arrived in the 41st minute when Yan Diomande’s cross from the left struck the onrushing Mbappe after Gerard Martin’s soft clearance, bouncing into the net. Barcelona had a chance to equalise before half-time when a fortunate ricochet fell to Lamine Yamal, but the teenager could not convert from close range.

Barcelona levelled in the 61st minute through a set piece, with Pedri’s reverse pass finding Raphinha in space inside the box and the Brazilian finishing into the corner. The goal shifted the momentum, and Hansi Flick’s side grew into the second half, pinning Real back with sustained pressing and forcing a series of last-ditch defensive blocks.

The decisive moment came with three minutes remaining. A loose touch from Barcelona substitute Gabriel Jesus handed Real possession, and substitute Eduardo Camavinga had the pace to get in behind the defence before squaring for Mbappe to tap into an empty net. Mourinho’s knee slide followed almost immediately.

The result leaves Barcelona’s La Liga lead under renewed pressure, while Real — and their returning manager — have announced themselves as genuine title contenders with a performance that will be difficult to ignore.