Barcelona player ratings vs Real Madrid: Lamine Yamal lights up El Clasico - but woeful Robert Lewandowski and Joao Cancelo struggle to leave title defence in tatters

Xavi's side twice took the lead at the Bernabeu, but were pegged back quickly both times before Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time heart-breaker

Barcelona's hopes of reeling Real Madrid in and defending their title in La Liga are all-but over as they twice gave up leads before succumbing to a stoppage-time strike by Jude Bellingham to lose 3-2 in El Clasico on Sunday.

The visitors took an early lead as Andreas Christensen got above Toni Kroos at the back post and headed home from a corner. However, they were not ahead for long, as Lucas Vazquez drew a foul out of Clasico debutant Pau Cubarsi inside the Barca box, and Vinicius Jr converted from the penalty spot.

Barca were unfortunate not to retake the lead midway through the first half, as Lamine Yamal's near-post flick from a corner looked to have crossed the line, but the lack of goal-line technology in La Liga meant the VAR could not be sure. The Blaugrana's mood was then dampened further when Frenkie de Jong was stretchered off shortly before half-time.

Barca didn't feel sorry for themselves, however, and retook the lead when substitute Fermin Lopez tapped in after Andriy Lunin spilled Yamal's cross. However, Madrid hit back quickly yet again, as Vazquez fired in from Vinicius' cross, and the full-back then turned provider for Bellingham to net the winner as the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark.

The result leaves Madrid 11 points clear of Barca at the top of the table, and with just six rounds of matches left, they will likely now stroll to the title.

GOAL rates Barca's players from the Bernabeu...

Getty Images
Goalkeeper & Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):
Almost reached Vinicius' penalty, and wasn't really stretched again until the 78th minute when he saved well from the Brazilian. Distribution solid, as always.
Jules Kounde (8/10):
After keeping Mbappe quiet in Paris 11 days ago, the French defender did a job on Vinicius here. Always composed in his defensive work, and even got forward to support attacks on occasion too.
Ronald Araujo (7/10):
Bounced back from his Champions League disappointment to put in a strong showing at the heart of the Barca backline.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10):
Had a shaky start and conceded the penalty for a trip on Vazquez. Recovered well, though, and looked composed for the final 70 minutes.
Joao Cancelo (3/10):
Should have done more to stop Vazquez in the build-up to the penalty, and totally lost the Madrid right-back when he netted the second equaliser. Had some moments going forward, but not enough to properly threaten.

Getty Images
Midfield
Andreas Christensen (7/10):
Rose highest to head Barca in front early on. Did some decent screening of the defence, and recovered when he did have lapses in possession. Surprisingly replaced at half-time, with no clear sign of injury.
Frenkie de Jong (6/10):
Tidy in possession before suffering an ankle injury that forced him to be stretchered off shortly before half-time. Will be praying it's not serious as Euro 2024 approaches.
Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):
Couldn't get in the game much in the first half as Barca's long-ball strategy largely missed him out. Much better after being moved into a deeper role after the break as Barca took control in midfield.
Getty Images
Attack
Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Burned his way past Camavinga on so many occasions, and clever flick perhaps should have been given as a goal by the VAR. Testing cross also led to Barca's second as the teenager enjoyed his first Clasico start.
Robert Lewandowski (3/10):
Most of his touches came facing his own goal and around 20 yards outside Madrid's penalty area. Held it up well a couple of times, but made the wrong decision too often. Hauled off just after the hour-mark.
Raphinha (6/10):
Deliveries from corners caused plenty of problems, as Christensen's opener and Yamal's 'ghost goal' both came via the Brazilian's dead-ball prowess. Struggled to get involved from open play, though, and was replaced by Felix.

Getty Images
Subs & Manager
Pedri (6/10):
Allowed Barca to take control of midfield for much of the second half with some smart passing.
Fermin Lopez (7/10):
Showed plenty of energy and was in the right place to put Barca ahead midway through the second half.
Ferran Torres (6/10):
Fine run across Lunin led directly to Fermin's goal, but couldn't get involved much otherwise.
Joao Felix (5/10):
Poor decision-making in the final third let him down.
Xavi (5/10):
Result in his final Clasico in charge will hurt, but he can't really be blamed given who he had available. Had to make attacking substitutions given the title-race situation, but they ended up leaving his team too open in defence.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Midfield

Attack

Subs & Manager