Jose Mourinho has called Real Madrid “extraordinary” after his side ended Barcelona’s perfect record with victory at Barcelona in La Liga, singling out Marc Cucurella for coping with the “toughest match” of the full-back’s career against Ballon d’Or contender Lamine Yamal.

New signing Cucurella marked winger Yamal and played a part in the first of Kylian Mbappe’s goals in the 2-1 win, feeding Yan Diomande for a cross that was turned against the striker by opposition defender Gerard Martin’s attempted clearance.

“You can win by luck, by defending a lot… but we won comfortably and deservedly,” said Mourinho (via Marca), speaking after extinguishing Barca’s nine-match winning start to the Liga season to move three points behind the leaders.

“I’ve learned that I have an extraordinary group, with the quality and mentality to play. It’s a complete squad, they work hard, and they’re ready to win.”

Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Lamine Yamal ‘smart’

Spain sensation Yamal has eight goals and six assists in this season’s Liga but sent a glorious chance wide between Mbappe’s opener and the interval.

After Raphinha equalised during the second half, Yamal curled an effort wide and Mbappe struck his second to leave the 19-year-old looking rueful once the full-time whistle had sounded on the first clasico of the campaign.

“I always say that I only understand how good players are when I see them in front of me,” Mourinho said of the best result of his second spell in charge, having been reappointed before the start of the season.

“On television, I miss something. Ten metres away, I understand the quality of the players. [Yamal’s] very good, very difficult to play against.

“Besides being good, he’s smart. He tried everything. It’s the toughest match Cucu has had, against a very good player.”

Real Madrid boss Mourinho praises referee vs Barca

Mourinho warned that the win for Madrid, who are a point behind second-placed Atleti, will be meaningless if they do not prevail at midtable Racing Santander on Sunday (15:15 GMT).

“It was a great match,” said the Portuguese. “A high-level game – one that surely everyone who loves football stopped to watch, with two teams who played to win.

“I’m more concerned with speaking about my own team, but the lads played an extraordinary match – very organised, focused, with the courage to play out from the back against opponents who pressed a lot.

“We had chances to make it 2-0… Barcelona reacted strongly in the second half but we remained very calm and organised, and even at 1-1 we never lost our composure.

“Against great opponents and with a referee [Juan Martinez Munuera] who I think had a great game… it was a great match, a great victory.”

Real Madrid team vs Barcelona in el clasico

Andriy Lunin – who made several impressive saves – replaced Thibaut Courtois in one of five Madrid changes alongside the introductions of defenders Ibrahima Konate and Cucurella, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and winger Diomande.

Alvaro Carreras, Antonio Rudiger and Eduardo Camavinga moved to the bench. Vinicius Junior was suspended.

Real Madrid: Andriy Lunin, Federico Valverde, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella, Bernardo Silva, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Jude Bellingham, Yan Diomande, Kylian Mbappe

Substitutes: Illia Voloshyn, Sergio Mestre, Eder Militao, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras, Antonio Rudiger, Denzel Dumfries, Eduardo Camavinga, Thiago Pitarch, Endrick, Carlos Espi, Brahim Diaz