Jose Mourinho celebrated a late winner by Kylian Mbappé in Real Madrid’s 2‑1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday, once again showcasing the Portuguese coach’s “Midas touch” in the El Clásico. The win gave Madrid their fifth consecutive triumph across all competitions and marked Mourinho’s sixth consecutive Clasico without defeat, a feat only shared with Miguel Muñoz (1962‑1965) and Vicente del Bosque (2001‑2003). With four victories and two draws in his current six matches against Barça, Mourinho has become the third Real manager to achieve this streak.
The match also snapped Barcelona’s nine‑game domestic unbeaten run, a run that would have given the Catalans a nine‑point cushion at the top of La Liga had they won. Real’s triumph has narrowed the gap between the two giants to just three points, keeping the title race fiercely competitive. “We play to win La Liga, not just the Clasico,” Mourinho said after the game. “We could have won with luck, but we won with calmness and merit.” He praised his squad’s effort, noting that while the coach receives blame when the team loses, the players receive credit when they win.
Mourinho, who returned to Real Madrid 13 years after his first spell, reflected on the quality and mindset of his side. “I’ve learned that I have an extraordinary group with the quality and mindset to play,” he said. He highlighted the balance provided by a mix of talents in midfield, which he believes gives the team both defensive solidity and attacking potency. Mourinho also acknowledged the effort of the players, especially in a match against a formidable opponent like Barcelona, and urged them to maintain their level without becoming complacent.
Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick, admitted his side was lacking freshness after a demanding stretch of fixtures. “We missed the freshness,” he said, adding that recovery and training will be key moving forward. Flick emphasized that small details can decide big games and that the team must learn from today’s defeat to improve in future encounters.
With the win, Real Madrid’s position in La Liga has strengthened, while Barcelona must regroup to stay in contention. The next fixtures will test both teams’ resilience as the Spanish league enters its most crucial phase of the season.