Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho says his team’s 2-1 win over fierce rivals FC Barcelona is the best earned win so far in the 2026-2027 season.

He said this at a presser after Madrid’s win cut Barcelona’s lead over them to three points thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe.

The loss was Barcelona’s first of the season in the Spanish La Liga but second in all competitions after starting the season unbeaten in 11 games.

Barcelona 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League in the lead up to the El Clasico.

On the other hand, Mbappe scored his 100^th goal for Real Madrid in a game Mourinho’s clinched without key players Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois.

“It’s also the most difficult match, against the highest-quality opponent. An opponent who came in with only victories in the league.”

“For us, this is the best-earned win. We’ve won by four goals against other teams, but this is Barcelona, and the players played a great game.”

“Being three points behind is different, and the way we won is also important because you can win with luck and by defending a lot. We won calmly and with full merit” Mourinho said.