According to a report by Flashscore on Sunday, October 25, 2026, Real Madrid took a 1-0 lead over Barcelona into half-time in El Clasico after Kylian Mbappe scored a crucial goal in the 42nd minute.

The French forward capitalised on a loose ball inside Barcelona’s penalty area before firing past the goalkeeper to give Los Blancos the advantage shortly before the interval. Meanwhile, Andriy Lunin delivered an impressive performance in goal, making several important saves to prevent Barcelona from finding an equaliser.

Mbappe was Real Madrid’s standout performer during the opening half. The striker reacted quickly to a loose ball in the penalty area and directed his finish inside the left post to break the deadlock. His clinical effort rewarded Madrid’s attacking persistence and gave them a valuable advantage before half-time.

The French international had also attempted to create opportunities for his teammates earlier in the match. In the 24th minute, he delivered a dangerous pass that Barcelona’s defence managed to intercept. He also sent a shot over the crossbar in the 34th minute before eventually finding the breakthrough eight minutes later.

Lunin was another important figure for Madrid, producing several saves to preserve his side’s lead. In the seventh minute, the goalkeeper comfortably stopped Anthony Gordon’s effort from the edge of the penalty area. He was called into action again in the 16th minute, when Gordon attempted a powerful shot towards the roof of the net.

The goalkeeper produced one of his best interventions in the 35th minute, making an excellent save to deny Gordon from inside the box. His contributions proved important as Barcelona searched for a goal during a promising spell of attacking play.

Arda Guler also impressed with his creativity and willingness to attack. In the fifth minute, the Turkish midfielder created space inside the penalty area but sent his shot narrowly over the crossbar. He later tested the goalkeeper in the 18th minute, although his effort was comfortably gathered.

Guler continued to contribute by delivering a chipped pass in the 19th minute and producing a threatening corner shortly afterwards. His movement and set-piece delivery provided additional attacking options for Madrid.

Yan Diomande also offered useful support in the final third. In the 13th minute, he accelerated towards goal and forced a Barcelona defender to intervene. He subsequently participated in a short-corner routine and delivered a pass into the penalty area in the 41st minute, although Barcelona cleared the danger.

With Mbappe providing the decisive finish and Lunin making crucial saves, Real Madrid entered the interval with a narrow advantage. Barcelona, however, still had the second half to respond in the highly anticipated encounter.