Barcelona's tactical masterclass sinks Real Madrid in historic El Clásico victory

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Barcelona executed a flawless tactical plan at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, defeating Real Madrid 4-0 to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to six points while ending their rivals' remarkable 42-match unbeaten run.

Three days after their commanding victory against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Hansi Flick's Barcelona side delivered another spectacular performance. Robert Lewandowski, the 36-year-old striker, netted twice, while teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, 17, became the youngest scorer in El Clásico history. Raphinha completed the rout with a sublime finish.

Barcelona's high-risk defensive strategy, which has drawn both praise and skepticism, proved decisive. Flick's young team, featuring six players under 21, repeatedly caught Real Madrid's attackers – particularly Kylian Mbappé – in their methodically planned offside trap.

"There are games in Germany they call clásicos, but it's not the same," Flick remarked post-match. "This is the start of a journey." Indeed, his team's performance suggested this could be the beginning of a new era in Spanish football.

The statistics tell a compelling story: Madrid's forwards were caught offside 12 times, with Mbappé alone flagged on five occasions. The French striker's frustration was evident as he failed to convert any of his three on-target attempts, with two additional "goals" disallowed.

The breakthrough came on the 54th-minute mark when Lewandowski expertly timed his run behind Madrid's defense to curl in a precise finish. Two minutes later, he doubled Barcelona's lead with a powerful header from Alejandro Balde's cross.

Barcelona's third goal showcased their youth movement, as Yamal smashed home Raphinha's assist into the roof of the net. The Brazilian winger would later add his name to the scoresheet, cleverly chipping goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to complete the demolition.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti's team, known for their counter-attacking prowess, found themselves outmaneuvered at their own game. The spaces they typically exploit were instead turned against them by Barcelona's superior tactical execution.

The victory not only strengthens Barcelona's position in the title race but also marks a significant tactical triumph for Flick, whose high-defensive line strategy – the most aggressive in European football – has now been vindicated on the biggest stage in Spanish football.