Upcoming Match: Real Madrid vs. Barcelona
Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 26, when Real Madrid will face off against Barcelona at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m. local time (11:15 a.m. ET), and it marks the eagerly awaited first encounter of the 2025-26 LaLiga season between these fierce rivals.
Current Standings
Heading into the match, Real Madrid currently tops the LaLiga standings, boasting an impeccable record of 18 points gained from six matches. Barcelona, the reigning champions, are closely trailing in second place with a game in hand and are set to play against Real Oviedo on Thursday.
Barcelona’s Dominance
In the previous season, Barcelona showcased their dominance in Spanish football by achieving a remarkable feat, winning an unprecedented four titles: LaLiga on two occasions, the Spanish Supercopa, and the Copa del Rey. Their journey to glory included a significant 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in last October’s LaLiga clash and a convincing 5-2 win in the Supercopa final held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. They further solidified their stronghold by capturing the Copa del Rey with a tightly contested 3-2 win in Seville and completing the season with a thrilling 4-3 victory against Madrid at Montjuic despite an early Madrid lead.
Key Players and Anticipation
As anticipation builds for the upcoming match, it’s noteworthy that this game could feature several of the top-tier talents from the latest Ballon d’Or rankings, including Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Kylian Mbappé, Pedri, Vinícius Júnior, Robert Lewandowski, and Jude Bellingham. Currently, Kylian Mbappé leads the LaLiga goal-scoring chart with five goals, while Ferran Torres of Barcelona closely follows with four.
Coaching Debut
The upcoming Clásico not only promises to be a battle for points but also marks the coaching debut for Real Madrid’s new manager Xabi Alonso, who took over the reins from Carlo Ancelotti this past summer.
Broadcast Information
LaLiga action will be available live on ESPN+ in the U.S., while fans in the UK and Ireland can catch the excitement through Disney+.
