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Toni Kroos praises Mourinho after Real Madrid beats Barcelona

Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou behind two goals from Kylian Mbappé, ending Barcelona's perfect LaLiga start this season, according to Sport Mole and Kompas. Mbappé's brace lifted Real Madrid to within three points of Barcelona…

Toni Kroos praises Mourinho after Real Madrid beats Barcelona

Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou behind two goals from Kylian Mbappé, ending Barcelona’s perfect LaLiga start this season, according to Sport Mole and Kompas.

Mbappé’s brace lifted Real Madrid to within three points of Barcelona at the top of the standings. Raphinha scored the lone response for the hosts as Barcelona suffered its first domestic defeat of the campaign.

Mourinho Deploys Bold Tactics to Overcome Barcelona’s Possession

Real Madrid surrendered the ball for long stretches of the match, managing only 37 percent possession compared to Barcelona’s 67 percent. Mourinho relied on a compact block and rapid transitions, catching the Blaugrana defense out of position.

Kroos Praises Real Madrid’s Courage at Camp Nou

Former midfielder Toni Kroos lauded Mourinho’s approach after the final whistle. “Real Madrid and Mourinho displayed great courage at Camp Nou, and that made a big difference compared to recent Clásicos,” Kroos told Sport Mole, as cited by Sport Mole.

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27
Photo: Goal.com

Kroos highlighted the moments when Barcelona threatened an equalizer. “There were periods when they defended well, such as when Barcelona equalized. At that time, any of us would have accepted a draw,” Kroos said.

Mbappé Reaches 100 Real Madrid Goals Faster Than Ronaldo Nazário

Kylian Mbappé reached a milestone during the victory by scoring his 100th goal for Real Madrid in his 116th appearance for the club, according to Kompas. The French forward surpassed the milestone significantly faster than Ronaldo Nazário, who required 163 matches to reach the same figure.

Only Ferenc Puskás (100 matches), Cristiano Ronaldo (106 matches), Pahíno (111 matches), and Alfredo Di Stéfano (114 matches) reached the century mark faster for the club. Mbappé emphasized team success over personal milestones after the match.

Lunin Sets Goalkeeping Record After Late Replacement

Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin stepped into the starting lineup hours before kickoff after Thibaut Courtois fell ill with a severe flu, according to CNN Indonesia. Lunin made five saves to preserve the victory.

The performance secured a historic benchmark for the Ukrainian goalkeeper. According to Mister Chip data cited by CNN Indonesia, Lunin became the first goalkeeper in the 124-year history of El Clásico to win four of his first five appearances in the fixture.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Match

What was the final score of the October 2026 El Clásico?

Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Camp Nou, with Kylian Mbappé scoring twice for the visitors and Raphinha scoring for Barcelona, according to Sport Mole and Kompas.

Toni Kroos praises Mourinho after Real Madrid beats Barcelona
Photo: Kompas

How many goals has Kylian Mbappé scored for Real Madrid?

Kylian Mbappé reached 100 goals for Real Madrid during this match, achieving the milestone in 116 appearances to become the fifth-fastest player in club history to reach the mark, as reported by Kompas.

Why did Andriy Lunin start in goal for Real Madrid instead of Thibaut Courtois?

Andriy Lunin entered the starting lineup because Thibaut Courtois suffered a sudden and severe bout of flu shortly before kickoff, according to CNN Indonesia.

Where do Barcelona and Real Madrid stand in the LaLiga table following the match?

Barcelona remains at the top of the LaLiga standings with 27 points, holding a narrow lead over Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, who sit closely behind, according to Sport Mole and CNN Indonesia.

About the author: Javier Moreno - Sports Editor

Former sideline reporter and FIFA‑accredited correspondent. Javier covers football, boxing, and Olympic sports, blending analytics with athlete‑focused storytelling. Javier Moreno offers in‑depth sports coverage, live analysis, and exclusive interviews from global arenas.