2026 Ballon d'Or: Top favourite Kylian Mbappe arrives in London for award

In a thrilling El Clásico, Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-1 victory over league leaders Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu. Kylian Mbappe was the hero of the night, netting twice including a dramatic 87th-minute winner. Barcelona aimed to break the record for the most consecutive victories at the start of a Spanish top-flight season, but fell short of the remarkable nine straight wins set by Real Madrid in the 1968-69 campaign.

Mbappe's first goal came four minutes before halftime, courtesy of a fortunate deflection off Joan Garcia after a clearance from Gerard Martin. The first half saw both sides create chances, with Mbappe also hitting the post and Lamine Yamal coming close for Barcelona. In the second half, Barcelona equalised through Raphinha just 16 minutes later, capitalising on a mistake by Jude Bellingham.

Real Madrid's Martin had a chance to rescue a point with a header, but Andriy Lunin made a vital one-handed save. With the score still level, a brilliant pass by Bellingham set up Eduardo Camavinga to pull one back for Mbappe in stoppage time. While Barcelona leads Atletico Madrid by two points after 10 matches, Real Madrid closed the gap to third place by one point.