Real Madrid Manager Jose Mourinho Criticizes VAR After El Clasico Victory

OPA WIRE, Oct 25 (OPA) — Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory against Barcelona at the Camp Nou on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring both goals for the visitors. Despite the result, which narrowed Barcelona's lead in La Liga to three points, manager Jose Mourinho directed sharp criticism toward the officiating team. Mourinho specifically cited a missed red card for Barcelona’s Joao Cancelo following an incident involving Yan Diomande, claiming the oversight significantly impacted the match flow.

"The referee was great but the VAR was sleeping," Mourinho said during his post-match press conference. The Portuguese manager, currently in his second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, noted that the officiating failure occurred shortly before Raphinha equalized for Barcelona. Despite his vocal frustration, Mourinho celebrated Mbappe’s 87th-minute winner with a notable knee slide, marking his first El Clasico victory since returning to the club.

Real Madrid’s win marks a shift in the all-time El Clasico ledger, with the club now holding 107 derby victories compared to Barcelona’s 106. The match featured several high-profile players, including Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon, while Barcelona manager Hansi Flick attributed his side's performance to fatigue following a dense schedule of four matches in 12 days. This result represents Barcelona's first defeat in ten league fixtures.

Looking ahead, Mourinho emphasized that his focus remains on the broader La Liga campaign rather than individual match results. Real Madrid has now recorded eight wins in their last nine matches across all competitions. Barcelona, meanwhile, will utilize a full week of recovery before their next fixture, as both clubs continue to navigate the competitive landscape of the 2026 season.