Robert Lewandowski struck twice in three minutes as Barcelona crushed rivals Real Madrid 4-0 Saturday, inflicting the Spanish champions' first LaLiga defeat in over a year.
Teenage winger Lamine Yamal and Raphinha completed the rout, while Real superstar Kylian Mbappe had two goals ruled out for offside on a frustrating first Clasico appearance for Los Blancos, who now trail league leaders Barca by six points.
France captain Mbappe was consistently outwitted by the visitors' high defensive line to the chagrin of the exasperated Santiago Bernabeu crowd, whose mood darkened as Barca hit four second half goals.
Barca snapped Real’s 42-match unbeaten streak in LaLiga, one game short of the Catalan giants' all-time record, adding further shine to their triumph.
Hansi Flick has whipped Barca into shape in just a matter of months and in ending a run of four Clasico defeats, his young side made a statement victory to show how far they have come.
"The big objectives are (fought) against the best in the world and we've shown that we've got the ability to beat anyone, that we've got the mentality and that we've changed," said Barca goalkeeper Inaki Pena.
"(The high line) is one of the demands of the coach, that the line can't be dragged back, and there's no faster and more potent players than the ones we've faced this week.
"It's dangerous to play with so (much space) behind you but all of the offsides we drew reflect the work of the team."
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for more muscle in midfield by selecting Eduardo Camavinga over Luka Modric, with his team's game-plan clear - defend in numbers and try to spring Mbappe or Vinicius Junior with a long ball into the space behind Barca's high defensive line.
It led to an intense but repetitive first half, with Barca's defence catching Real offside on eight occasions.
Mbappe hit the side-netting and lobbed over but was offside on both occasions, while Jude Bellingham forced a superb save from Barca goalkeeper Inaki Pena, but it would also have been disallowed for offside.
At the other end Barca's teenage star Yamal sent a soft effort at Andriy Lunin when put through on goal by a superb Lewandowski flick.
Raphinha fired over and Lunin also saved from the Brazilian winger, but Barca were not playing with the fluidity they have demonstrated in recent weeks, culminating in the impressive 4-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich Wednesday.
Mbappe thought he had broken the deadlock when he got in behind and produced a fine dinked finish over Pena, but yet again the forward was marginally offside and his celebration was cut short.
Despite the feeling they were constantly menacing Barca, Real only produced one legal shot in the first half, with Vinicius dragging into the side-netting when he tried to catch Pena out at the near post.
Eager for more control Flick replaced Fermin Lopez with Frenkie de Jong at half-time and Barca soon took the lead.
Casado slipped Lewandowski through and with Real defender Ferland Mendy a step behind his team-mates, the Pole was onside.
The 36-year old slotted low past Lunin to silence the Bernabeu, and two minutes later he pounced again.
Lewandowski headed home Alejandro Balde's cross to double Barca's advantage and net his 14th league goal in 11 games, continuing his stunning revival under Flick after struggling last season.
Mbappe had a second goal ruled out for offside as Real struggled to find a way back in and Pena kept out a low stinging effort from the former Paris Saint-Germain forward.
Lewandowski spurned two golden chances to complete his hat-trick, shooting against the post from Raphinha's lay-off and then blazing over after good work by Yamal.
Spain's Euro 2024 star Yamal plundered Barca's third by rifling home after the surging Raphinha teed him up, with Flick celebrating jubilantly in the dugout.
Raphinha completed the rout with a lob over Lunin to leave the Bernabeu reeling.
RESULTS
Valladolid 1 (Sylla 60-P) Villarreal 2 (Barry 29, Perez 84)
Vallecano 1 (Sivera 80-og) Alaves 0
Las Palmas 1 (Munoz 42) Girona 0
Real Madrid 0 Barcelona 4 (Lewandowski 54, 56, Yamal 77, Raphinha 84)
Friday
Espanyol 0 Sevilla 2 (Lukebakio 20, 45)
