FC Barcelona and Real Madrid squared off once again in another dramatic edition of El Clásico, this time on Matchday 35 of the 2024–25 La Liga season. The Blaugrana came away with a crucial 4–3 victory that could ultimately decide the title. With just three games remaining, fans are now asking: what do Barcelona need to do to secure the league trophy?
Held at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium, the match was viewed as a potential turning point. A Real Madrid win would have reignited the title race, while a Barca victory could virtually seal it. The stakes were high, and both teams delivered a thrilling contest.
Kylian Mbappe struck early for Real Madrid, scoring in the 5th minute from the penalty spot and again in the 14th with a composed finish past Wojciech Szczesny. But Barcelona responded with goals from Eric Garcia, Lamine Yamal, and two from Raphinha, going into halftime with a 4–2 lead.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick in the second half to make it 4–3, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback. Remarkably, he became the first player in history to score a hat-trick in El Clasico and still lose the match.
With the win, Barcelona now sit atop the table with 82 points through 35 matches—seven points clear of second-place Real Madrid. With only three games remaining, Barca is firmly in control of its La Liga destiny.
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Hansi Flick makes something clear about Lamine Yamal after Barcelona’s 4–3 win over Real Madrid
What do Barcelona need to clinch the title?
Barcelona’s current position means they need just two more points from their final three matches to officially secure the La Liga title—even if Real Madrid wins all of their remaining games. A single win or two draws will be enough to crown Barca champions.
Should Real Madrid drop any points—by drawing or losing—Barcelona will automatically clinch the title regardless of their own results. Barcelona will be facing Espanyol away, Villarreal at home, and end with Athletic Bilbao away. Although all three opponents pose a challenge, just one victory in those matches would guarantee the title for Hansi Flick’s side.
The only scenario in which Real Madrid can win La Liga
Despite the El Clasico defeat, Real Madrid still has a mathematical chance to win the title—but it’s slim. To do so, Los Blancos must win all three remaining matches, while Barcelona fails to earn more than one point in their final three outings.
That would require the Blaugrana to lose at least two games and draw one—an unlikely outcome given their recent form. Real Madrid’s final opponents are Mallorca (home), Sevilla (away), and Real Sociedad (home), and anything less than nine points would end their hopes.
