At the beginning of the season, Barcelona’s board had earmarked this fixture as a grand return to the Nou Camp after nearly two years of renovation work.

But the revamped stadium – soon to be Europe’s largest with a 105,000 capacity – remains unfinished. When Hansi Flick’s men do finally move in next season, they’ll have no issue filling it if they continue playing like this.

With 167 goals so far, more than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues, Barcelona are one of the most thrilling teams to watch anywhere.

A special kit was launched for this match through a partnership with Travis Scott and Spotify, but truthfully, their football alone was more than enough show.

On a glorious spring day in Montjuic, high above the city and within the historic Olympic Stadium, Barcelona staged a sensational comeback against Real Madrid to all but secure the La Liga crown.

This 261st Clasico may go down in history, as Flick’s thrilling side responded to Kylian Mbappe’s early brace with four first-half goals in 26 electric minutes via Eric Garcia, Lamine Yamal, and two from Raphinha.

Raphinha bagged a brace as Barca defeated Madrid 4-3 in a gripping El Clasico showdown.

Despite Mbappe scoring a hat-trick, Real Madrid’s title dreams faded on Sunday evening.

Barcelona now boast a seven-point cushion with only three games remaining in the season.

Even with Mbappe’s 70th-minute third goal, Barcelona saw the game out for a huge win that edges them closer to their 28th league championship.

Carlo Ancelotti, set to be replaced by Xabi Alonso this summer, has now suffered four Clasico losses this season, likely ending without silverware for the first time since 2020-21.

Despite his decorated stint at Real Madrid, such defeats will surely leave a bitter aftertaste.

Barca, who had their Treble hopes dashed midweek in Italy, are now poised for a likely double – if Madrid drop points to Mallorca or if Barca win away at Espanyol. They hold a seven-point lead with three to go.

Sunday’s Clasico was hyped as the “Mega Clasico” in the Spanish press, with Lamine Yamal and Mbappe splashed across covers.

Barcelona’s remaining fixtures include two top-five opponents, meaning a Madrid win would have closed the gap to just one point. For Barca, avoiding defeat was crucial. Yet Flick’s side refused to play safe, naming the same XI from their Milan loss.

Madrid’s issues were evident again – with a fourth different lineup in four Clasicos due to continued injuries across their defensive unit.

Aurelien Tchouameni and Raul Asensio formed a makeshift centre-back pairing while Arda Guler got a rare start up front.

Raphinha (second from left) maintained his superb season with two clutch goals in the match.

He calmly scored twice past Courtois as Barcelona hit four in a frenzied 26-minute spell.

Wonderkid Yamal added another signature strike with his trademark left-footed curler.

Facing a Barca team that had scored four in the reverse fixture and averaged nearly three goals per game, Ancelotti could’ve played it safe—but Madrid had to win, and Mbappe struck early.

After a back-pass error by Cubarsi, Szczesny fouled Mbappe, who slotted home the penalty to draw level with Lewandowski in the golden boot race.

Nine minutes later, Madrid countered after dispossessing Yamal. Bellingham fed Vinicius Jr., who teed up Mbappe for a classy finish that hushed the home fans.

Barcelona’s protest for a foul on Yamal fell on deaf ears, but they soon struck back.

Courtois parried a long-range shot from Gerard Martin, and from the resulting corner, Eric Garcia headed home Ferran Torres’ delivery.

Momentum swung, and at the half-hour mark, Yamal curled in a majestic goal after receiving a clever pass from Torres.

The 16-year-old celebrated Mbappe-style: arms folded, signaling calm to the crowd.

Mbappe (second from right) had earlier converted from the spot within the opening five minutes.

He added a cool counter-attack goal soon after to double Madrid’s early advantage.

He later completed his treble, but Madrid still trailed in the Clasico thriller.

But Barcelona weren’t done. Just two minutes after Yamal’s strike, chaos ensued as Raphinha capitalized on a mistake by Mbappe and Vazquez to score again.

Just like they did in Milan, Flick’s side erased a two-goal deficit and took charge. And while even a draw would have kept them four points clear, Barca were not interested in settling.

Yamal nearly connected with Raphinha again with an audacious trivela pass, but the Brazilian headed over.

Moments later, Madrid were awarded another penalty, only for the VAR to show De Jong had made no contact on Mbappe – decision overturned.

Keeping up the relentless pace, Barca punished Madrid’s mistake as Torres robbed Vazquez and fed Raphinha, who calmly netted his 34th of the season.

Mbappe did find the net again before the break, but it was ruled out for offside.

Match Facts: Barcelona 4-3 Real Madrid

BARCELONA (4-2-3-1): Szczesny 5.5; Garcia 7 (Fort 78), Cubarsi 6 (Christensen 57, 6), Martinez 6, Martin 6 (Balde 57, 6); De Jong 7, Pedri 7.5; Yamal 8.5, Olmo 6.5 (Lopez 77), Raphinha 8; Torres 8.5 (Gavi 89).

Goals: Garcia 19, Yamal 32, Raphinha 34, 45Bookings: Araujo, Martinez, Lopez, PedriManager: Hansi Flick 8

REAL MADRID (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6; Vazquez 5.5 (Endrick 84), Tchouameni 6.5, Asencio 6, Garcia 6; Valverde 6, Ceballos 5 (Modric 46, 6.5); Guler 5.5 (Diaz 46, 6.5), Bellingham 6.5, Vinicius Jr 7.5 (Munoz 88); Mbappe 9.

Goals: Mbappe 5 (pen), 14, 70Bookings: Valverde, Tchouameni, AsencioManager: Carlo Ancelotti 6

The whistle at half-time almost deflated the intensity, but the action didn’t slow.

Ancelotti brought on Modric and Diaz for Guler and Ceballos, yet it was Barca who threatened more.

Raphinha assisted Yamal for what seemed to be his second, only for offside to be called.

Madrid then countered swiftly in the 70th minute as Vinicius set up Mbappe for his third.

Yamal returned the favor, finding Raphinha at the near post, but the Brazilian slipped and fired over.

Ten minutes from time, Barca appealed for handball against Tchouameni. VAR advised a review, but the referee stuck to his original “no penalty” call, sparking fan fury.

Ancelotti threw on Endrick and Muniz in a late push, and Muniz almost equalized seconds after coming on but missed wide when through on goal.

Szczesny made a crucial save to deny Mbappe and the Frenchman’s follow-up from the corner was offside again.

Fermin Lopez thought he’d scored a wondergoal on his birthday, but it was ruled out for handball.

Still, none of it mattered—Barcelona held firm and earned a historic victory.