Three talking points from Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid

Barcelona on the brink after another wild win

Barcelona came from 2-0 down to beat Real Madrid 4-3 on Sunday to extend their lead at the top of the table and close in on the title.

In a truly extraordinary game, Barca shrugged off their Champions League heartbreak and fatigue, recovered from an awful start and simply swept Real Madrid away to make it four wins from four against their bitter rivals this season.

It was fun, it was nervy and it was pure entertainment from start to finish.

Madrid scored three but Barca scored more and Los Blancos had no answer. As Yamal said earlier this season: “If they score a goal against us, nothing happens. This year they can’t beat us, we’ve shown it, we’re very happy and Barça is alive.”

Barcelona is alive and kicking right now. The title is almost a certainty and will be added to their Super Cup and Copa del Rey titles. Hansi Flick has built something special this season and it’s simply a privilege to watch right now.

Ferran and Eric join Raphinha and Yamal’s party

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal were once again on fire for Barcelona against Madrid. The Brazilian scored twice, and could have had a few more, while Yamal scored another goal that will live long in the memory.

But they weren’t the only players who deserve credit. Eric Garcia continued his remarkable renaissance with Barca’s first goal that brought hope of the comeback. As crazy as it sounds, Eric is fast becoming a vital member of Flick’s squad.

Eric García domando a Vinicius

pic.twitter.com/UiQxv7dcCa — Som I Serem FCB (@Somhiseremfcb) May 11, 2025

So too is Ferran Torres. There was no Lewandowski on Sunday but Barca still scored four, and Ferran baggged three assists. Another player who seeemed to be heading for the exit door is now likely set for a new contract instead.

| Ferr ️ ️ ️n

• First player to record a hat-trick of assists in an #ElClasico over the last ten seasons

• First time ever he has recorded more than one assist in a match in his senior career

What a half of football for Ferran Torres! pic.twitter.com/phbi0SLzIa — Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) May 11, 2025

Flick had been full of praise for Eric before the match in his pre-game press conference and was quick to laud Ferran afterwards for his performance.

“Ferran is doing very well. That’s why he’s playing. Lewy was coming off an injury, and I thought it was important to have a player at 100 percent, who could always press,” he said. “He also assists... he’s improved a lot. He’s known how to adapt to that number nine position. It’s fantastic to have him with us.”

More refereeing controversy but Barca don’t care

Perhaps inevitably, Sunday’s match featured plenty of controversial incidents which would surely have left Barcelona feeling hard done by if they hadn’t managed to secure all three points.

Fans were left perplexed by a number of decisions, not least the decision not to award Ferran Torres a penalty after his shot was blocked by the arm of Aurélien Tchouaméni in the penalty area.

Match referee Hernandez Hernandez was sent to the screens to check, usually a sign the decision is to be reversed, but then insisted he was right and that it was definitely not a spot-kick.

Controversy was inevitable in #ElClásico

This handball by Tchouaméni wasn’t called a penalty after VAR review #beINSPORTS #FCBarcelona #RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/s2xKsBTuRB — beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 11, 2025

The only possible explanation was that he felt Tchouameni was too close but stil, you can only imagine the reaction in the Spanish capital if the roles had been reversed and the decision had gone against Madrid.

Fermin Lopez then saw a brilliant fifth goal for Barcelona ruled out for a handball. Another curious decision but one that midfielder shrugged off fairly nonchalantly: “We’re used to it. The important thing is that we won. We’re not judging. Being a referee is very complicated.”

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