Barcelona edge Real Madrid in seven-goal thriller to move within reach of La Liga title

Despite falling behind early, Barca mounted a fierce comeback to secure a crucial three points and extend their lead at the top of the table to seven with just three matches remaining.

Raphinha was the standout performer, scoring twice as the Catalans overturned a two-goal deficit to record their fourth consecutive win over their rivals in all competitions this season - and their second in under a month.

Madrid started brightly at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium, racing into a 2â-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe. The French forward converted a fifth-minute penalty after drawing a foul from Wojciech Szczesny, then doubled the lead on the counter following a swift combination with Vinícius Junior.

Barcelona, however, responded with remarkable resilience.

Eric García's header from a corner kick halved the deficit in the 19th minute, before 16-year-old Lamine Yamal curled home a superb equalizer in the 32nd - a strike that ignited the home crowd and shifted momentum. Just two minutes later, a misplaced pass by Mbappe in midfield led to a devastating Barca counter, with Raphinha applying a clinical finish to give the hosts a 3â-2 lead.

Real Madrid had a potential penalty overturned just before halftime, and moments later another defensive lapse, this time from captain Lucas Vazquez, gifted Raphinha his second goal of the night and extended Barcelona's lead to 4â-2.

Despite a flurry of saves from Thibaut Courtois that kept Madrid in the game, they were unable to recover. Mbappe completed his hat trick in the 70th minute following another rapid break from Vinícius, but the visitors could not find an equalizer as Barcelona held firm in the closing stages.

"We attacked well, but made some obvious mistakes defensively - and they cost us," admitted Real manager Carlo Ancelotti post-match. "In games like this, you have to get both sides right."

For Barcelona, the win puts them on the verge of a 28th league title. Hansi Flick's side could be crowned champions as early as Wednesday if Madrid fail to win away at Mallorca. Regardless of that result, a victory in Thursday's Catalan derby against Espanyol would officially seal the title.

"It was a very important win," said Yamal after the match. "We've suffered this season, but that's what makes victories like this so meaningful. Now we're close to our goal."

Barcelona's performance was far from flawless defensively, but their attacking cohesion and mental fortitude proved decisive in one of the most thrilling editions of El Clasico in recent memory.

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