[FC Barcelona’s home stadium, Spotify CampNou. Photo Credit to Pexels]

Barcelona clinched their La Liga championship with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in the final El Clásico of the 2024-2025 season at Lluís Company's Olympic Stadium on May 11th, 2025.

The triumph secured the title, capping off a perfect 4-0 record against their arch-rivals this season. 

This El Clásico was a crucial match that would determine the direction of the league championship.

With Barcelona claiming victory, they guaranteed the championship title.

El Clásico is a world-famous rivalry match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. 

It attracts soccer fans not only from Spain but also from around the world. 

Often called the ‘world’s best derby’, the two teams have a history of more than 120 years, and El Clásico carries social, cultural, and political importance in Spain, extending far beyond just being a soccer match. 

Throughout history, Barcelona has recorded 104 El Clásico wins, Real Madrid has 105, and there have been 52 draws.

During the 2024-2025 season, Barcelona showed stable performance while aiming for a treble (a team winning all three major soccer competitions in one season) in the first season of Hansi Flick as manager.

Real Madrid added Kylian Mbappe to their squad to reinforce their strength, but they couldn’t keep up with Barcelona in the second half of the season and ended the campaign in second place in the league.

The match began with Real Madrid taking control early, establishing a commanding 0-2 lead by the 14th minute thanks to Mbappe’s two quick goals.

However, Barcelona immediately counterattacked, with Eric Garcia's header serving as the first make-up goal.

Lamine Yamal equalized with a sensational shot, and Raphinha converted another to make it 3-2, all within 15 minutes.

Just before the end of the first half, Raphinha scored again after a mistake by Real Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez, giving Barcelona a 4-2 advantage. 

In the second half, Real Madrid kept creating chances, and Mbappe completed his hat-trick to close the gap to 4-3 in the 70th minute.

The game was fast-paced and fiercely contested, with several controversial decisions including debates over a possible disallowed goal and a handball penalty.

In the 35th round of La Liga, this El Clásico pitted Barcelona, ​​the league leader, against Real Madrid, the second-place team. 

The result virtually decided the direction of the championship. 

This was the fourth El Clásico of the season in which Barcelona won all matches, showing their dominance against Real Madrid this year.

The victory provided an opportunity to soothe the regret of being eliminated in the Champions League semifinals with a league title and a complete victory in El Clásico.

Lamine Yamal, at just 17 years old, scored an equalizer and provided an assist, demonstrating his importance to Barcelona’s future. 

Raphinha proved to be the key player in the comeback, scoring twice in the first half and leading the team’s attack with tremendous  energy and focus.  

Eric Garcia ignited the comeback with his header, showing his strength during set pieces.

For Real Madrid, although Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick, the achievement was overshadowed by the team’s loss. 

He proved his scoring ability at every crucial moment, but the team's unstable defense prevented the team from achieving victory. 

Jude Bellingham, another young star of Madrid, displayed active movement in the midfield throughout the game, but struggled under pressure from Barcelona's midfielders.

Barcelona moved closer to winning the title by defeating their rivals at home, and this victory gave fans pride and unforgettable joy. 

Winning all four matches against Real Madrid throughout a season is a rare achievement in history, creating a memorable moment for the Culers (Barcelona’s fan club).

Under the leadership of manager Hansi Flick, Barcelona has built strong harmony between young players and experienced veterans.

The squad has gained depth, thanks to the rise of young talents like Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, combined with the steadiness of veteran players.

Looking ahead, FC Barcelona is considered among the strong contenders for both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League next season.

At Real Madrid, Mbappe delivered excellent scoring ability in his debut season, but the team ended the season with disappointment, failing to win trophies.

With reports of Madrid’s manager Ancelotti leaving, and the high possibility of a new manager taking over, tactical changes and squad rebuilding are expected. 

Whether Madrid can recover in the next season will depend on how well their young players blend with experienced stars and how effectively Mbappe can lead the way.