Jude Bellingham becomes the King of El Clasico!

Once again, Jude Bellingham demonstrated his prowess in Spain's biggest game, El Clasico, by delivering another crucial goal against Barcelona. Despite being relatively new to the rivalry, the England midfielder made a significant impact in his third Clasico of the season. His late winner in a chaotic and controversial match secured a 3-2 victory for Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid, likely sealing La Liga title for his team.

Barcelona initially took the lead, capitalizing on Madrid's slow start with a goal from Andreas Christensen off a corner. However, Los Blancos quickly rallied and equalized through a penalty converted by Vinicius Jr, awarded after a foul by Pau Cubarsi on Lucas Vazquez.

Barcelona thought they had regained the lead when Lamine Yamal's flick seemed to cross the line, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR check. The absence of goal-line technology in La Liga may raise questions following this incident.

Barcelona managed to score a second goal after halftime, with substitute Fermin Lopez capitalizing on another mistake from Lunin to score from close range. However, their lead didn't last long as Vazquez scored for Real Madrid by meeting Vinicius' cross at the far post.

Then came Jude Bellingham's moment of glory. The midfielder from Birmingham seized the opportunity at the far post, connecting with Vazquez's cross and emphatically smashing the ball into the net with his left foot, securing the victory and solidifying his status as a key figure in this historic rivalry.

winners & losers from Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid VS Barcelona)

WINNER: Jude Bellingham

Bellingham's impact on the Clasico rivalry has been nothing short of remarkable, especially considering his relatively young age. In just three games between Real Madrid and Barcelona this season, he has already made significant contributions, playing a crucial role in two victories and being instrumental in the third.

In October, Bellingham turned the game around by scoring twice in the second half, including a stoppage-time winner, securing a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid. He also made his mark in the Spanish Super Cup final by assisting Vinicius' goal as Los Blancos dominated the match.

His latest performance in the Clasico saw him score the decisive goal with a powerful shot into the roof of the net, sealing another impressive display. While Bellingham faced mild criticism for a temporary dry spell in goal-scoring, his overall contribution throughout the season has been commendable. Despite not reaching the lofty goal-scoring heights predicted earlier in the season, his impact remains significant.

At just 20 years old, Bellingham has established himself as a key player in one of the biggest fixtures in world football, exceeding expectations and showcasing his immense talent. For Real Madrid, having such a young talent shine in such a prestigious fixture is undoubtedly a testament to his ability and potential.

LOSER: Frenkie de Jong

De Jong's streak of bad luck continues as he faces yet another setback in what was supposed to be a defining season for him at Barcelona. After finding his rhythm in the team last season and showing promise for further growth and success, he has been plagued by a series of injuries this campaign.

The troubles began in August with a high ankle sprain, which he unfortunately aggravated a few months later. Now, on Sunday, another injury has struck him, resulting from a blow to his lower leg that forced him to be stretchered off the pitch.
It's particularly disheartening for De Jong because he has been a vital component of

Barcelona's midfield whenever he's been fit. His presence brings a sense of composure and control to the team, and his absence leaves a noticeable void. With ongoing issues across the pitch, Xavi has had to navigate various challenges, but the absence of De Jong significantly impacts the team's dynamics.

Adding to his woes is the timing of this latest injury, coming so close to Euro 2024. Understandably distraught upon his substitution, De Jong finds himself facing yet another setback in his quest for consistent fitness and performance.

WINNER: Lucas Vazquez

While Vazquez may not have been the expected hero of the Clasico, his contributions proved indispensable for Madrid's success. Not only did he effectively neutralize Raphinha defensively, limiting the Brazilian's impact on the game, but he also showcased his prowess going forward.

His dynamic run down the right-wing initiated Madrid's first equalizer, skillfully maneuvering past defenders and drawing a crucial foul to earn the penalty converted by Vinicius. Later, he demonstrated his attacking instincts by slotting home Madrid's second goal from an awkwardly bouncing cross.

Moreover, it was Vazquez's well-placed delivery that led to Bellingham's dramatic late winner, further highlighting his importance in pivotal moments. Bellingham himself lauded the full-back's contribution post-match, hailing him as a "legend."
Despite Carvajal holding the position of the first-choice right-back, Vazquez's consistency and knack for stepping up when needed have earned him admiration from both teammates and fans alike.

LOSER: La Liga

The Spanish top-flight endured a disappointing evening, marred by controversies and questions over the title race. The absence of goal-line technology in La Liga once again raised concerns when Yamal's potential goal was left unresolved due to the lack of clear evidence. This incident underscored the urgent need for the league to invest in such technology to prevent future controversies.

La Liga president Javier Tebas's attempt to defend the league's stance on goal-line technology with a tweet only added to the embarrassment, especially given the high-profile nature of the fixture. Such incidents only serve to exacerbate an existing crisis within the league.

Furthermore, Madrid's victory effectively sealed the title race, rendering the final six rounds of fixtures devoid of excitement in terms of the championship battle. With Madrid's substantial lead and Barca's inconsistency, fans will have to seek excitement elsewhere in the league's remaining matches.

WINNER: Carlo Ancelotti

While all Clasico victories are significant, this particular win could prove to be crucial for Ancelotti and Real Madrid, beyond just securing the Spanish title. With other important objectives on the horizon, such as their pursuit of a 15th European Cup, this win allows Ancelotti to shift his focus towards upcoming challenges.

Madrid's upcoming Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich is of paramount importance, with the first leg scheduled for April 30 and the second leg eight days later. Securing the league title virtually ensures Ancelotti can rotate his key players and keep them fresh for the European fixtures. With the title race virtually decided, the pressure is alleviated, allowing Madrid to prioritize their efforts in Europe.

Similarly, Thomas Tuchel finds himself in a comparable position with Bayern Munich. While Bayern may finish second in the Bundesliga, their title race has already been decided in favor of Bayer Leverkusen. However, any potential advantage Bayern had in terms of rest and rotation has now diminished due to Bellingham's late winner in the Clasico.

LOSER: Xavi's big-game players

In just five days, everything unraveled for Xavi and Barcelona. At the beginning of the week, there was still optimism for a positive outcome, with Barcelona holding a slim aggregate lead over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and remaining in contention in La Liga. However, failing to secure two positive results - first on Tuesday and then in the Clasico - dashed any hopes of a dream finish for Xavi at the club. Instead, the remaining weeks of the season are likely to feel lackluster for Barcelona.

Xavi may look to assign blame in various directions, but it's evident that his key players failed to deliver when it mattered most on Sunday. Joao Cancelo had a particularly poor outing, with subpar marking and defending contributing to all three of Madrid's goals. Robert Lewandowski also had a disappointing performance, failing to register a single shot on target before being substituted after 64 minutes.

Additionally, players like Ilkay Gundogan, Pedri, and Raphinha struggled to make a significant impact. If this indeed proves to be Xavi's final Clasico in charge, it's a disappointing note on which to conclude his tenure.