Thanks to Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid won the 257th Clásico against arch-rivals FC Barcelona and took a big step towards the championship title in the Spanish league. The Royal team with the two German national players Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger won 3-2 (1-1) against the Catalans on Sunday evening after a last-minute goal from the Englishman (90th + 1) – the lead in the table grew by six Play for eleven points before the end of the season.
In addition to Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior (18th, penalty kick) and Lucas Vázquez (73rd) scored for Madrid, Andreas Christensen (6th) and substitute Fermín López (69th) had given the guests the lead twice.
FC Barcelona players and coaches then sharply criticized the Spanish league. The reason for this was the lack of goal line technology, which meant the guests were deprived of a goal. “It’s shameful for football, I’m at a loss for words,” said German national goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. “There is so much money in this world and there is no money for what matters most.” When the score was 1-1, Real goalkeeper Andrij Lunin may have only cleared a corner kick from Lamine Yamal that was taken directly at the goal from behind the line.
Since there is no goal line technology in Spain, unlike the other top European leagues, the video referee had to resolve the situation. However, the television images did not provide any clear information about the scene, which is why the score remained 1-1. “It’s a shame,” said Barça coach Xavi: “If we want to be the best league in the world, we have to develop in that sense, you have to use the technology.” League President Javier Tebas reacted the same evening and shared on Twitter screenshots of press articles dealing with incorrect decisions on goal line techniques in Germany, England and France. He wrote: “No comment…”
For Real, opponents of Bayern in the semi-finals of the Champions League, it was the 105th success in the classic. Barça, led by DFB captain İlkay Gündoğan, suffered their next bitter setback within a week after losing the premier class against Paris Saint-Germain.
The club from Catalonia caught Real off on the wrong foot early on: after a corner, keeper Lunin, the hero in the penalty shootout against Manchester City, made a positional error and Christensen easily headed in from close range. But the Madrilenians were not shocked. Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsí passed Vázquez in the penalty area, Vinícius safely converted the penalty to equalize.
It was now an even game, in which Xavi’s team lost the Dutchman Frenkie de Jong due to injury shortly before the break. It remained an intense game in the second half. Fermín put Barcelona back in the lead from close range before Real hit back four minutes later. Shortly afterwards, ter Stegen prevented the score from falling behind with a great save against Vinícius (79′). Then, like in the first leg, Bellingham scored in stoppage time.