El Clasico ends in chaos: Why police were needed in Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 1

“The closing stages of Sunday’s Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona saw police officers intervene to separate players squaring up to each other as tempers got out of control. It all started shortly after Pedri was sent off for a second yellow card after catching Aurelien Tchouameni in a challenge as Barca desperately pushed for an equaliser deep into time added on. That leveller did not come, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham either side of a Fermin Lopez strike sealing a 2-1 victory for Madrid, who are now five points clear of their bitter rivals in La Liga. It was a classic Clasico: full of excitement, controversy and drama. On the pitch and off it. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)
NY Times/The Athletic – Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 1: Yamal’s big talk backfires as Bellingham seals Clasico win

What El Clasico really means: ‘You love something so much, and hate it in equal measure’
“Real Madrid and Barcelona meet for the first time this season later on Sunday in what should be one of the most exciting games of 2025-26 so far.Their uniquely intense rivalry always seems to deliver — and is fascinating for reasons that go way beyond the football pitch. But as millions around the world prepare for today’s match, what exactly does El Clasico mean to people in Spain in 2025? We spoke with several voices across the divide to explore the question. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
NY Times/The Athletic – The five stages of Lamine Yamal: Lessons from watching him grow at Barcelona (Video)