Thirteen years after his previous stint in charge of Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho is still finding ways to haunt Barcelona. BBC Sport reported that the Real manager celebrated Kylian Mbappe's late winner at the Camp Nou with a trademark knee slide, maintaining his remarkable midas touch over the club's bitter rivals.
According to BBC Sport, Mourinho has now become just the third Real boss to go six El Clasicos in a row without defeat. His record of four wins and two draws in his past six matches puts him alongside Miguel Munoz and Vicente del Bosque. BBC Sport noted that Mbappe's double in the 2-1 victory ended Barcelona's nine-game unbeaten domestic run.
Background
BBC Sport reported that a Real defeat would have allowed Barcelona to establish a commanding nine-point advantage at the top of the table. Instead, the result has brought Mourinho's side to within three points of their rivals, transforming the La Liga standings. Mourinho told BBC Sport that his team played to win La Liga rather than just the fixture at the Camp Nou, adding that the victory was achieved with calmness and merit.
Reflecting on the match, Mourinho praised his squad to BBC Sport, stating that the team possesses an extraordinary group of players with the quality and mindset to compete. Meanwhile, BBC Sport reported that Barcelona boss Hansi Flick admitted his team lacked fresh legs after a demanding few weeks, choosing not to offer excuses for the defeat.
Why it matters
For sports fans and followers of European football in Pakistan, the tactical shifts and high-stakes drama in La Liga offer a compelling spectacle as the title race narrows. The dramatic turnaround at the top of the Spanish table highlights how quickly momentum can shift in elite competitive sports.