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In his recent speech at Vadodra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona in football. Speaking about the relationship between Spain and India, Prime Minister Modi claimed that India has a strong football culture as well and that its supporters were devoted to the Spanish powerhouses. Barcelona crushed Real Madrid 4-0 in La Liga on Sunday, October 27. In a thrilling Clasico on Saturday, Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski put on an incredible display, scoring a quick double in the second half to lead the side to a resounding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid. This was Real Madrid's first La Liga loss in forty-two games.
"Spain's football is also very much liked in India. Yesterday, the match between Real Madrid and Barcelona was also discussed in India. Barcelona's spectacular victory was also discussed in India and I can say with a guarantee that like Spain there was a verbal spat between fans of both clubs in India as well," Narendra Modi said in his latest speech on Monday, October 28.
Early in the second half of the game, Lewandowski scored twice in three minutes, and 17-year-old Lamine Yamal became the youngest player in Clasico history. At a stunned Bernabéu Stadium, Raphinha completed the decisive victory late in the game.
Barcelona's triumph increased their lead at the top of the league to 30 points, six points ahead of Real Madrid, whose incredible 13-month unbeaten streak ended. They were only one game away from matching Barcelona's league record of 43 straight games without a loss after the setback. After losing to Real Madrid four times in a row, Barcelona won for the first time since March 2023 with a performance that typified coach Hansi Flick's aggressive strategies, which included a strong defensive line and successful counterattacks. To help Lewandowski, La Liga's leading scorer, the visitors took use of Raphinha and Yamal's quickness.
Real Madrid wasted a number of chances despite having a great start, especially thanks to an unproductive Kylian Mbappé who missed four open chances, was called offside nine times, and had two goals disallowed. In the end, Barcelona's strategy of taking chances paid off. With his rapid strikes in the 54th and 56th minutes, Lewandowski hushed the home crowd and increased his goal total to 14 goals in just 11 league games. Frustrated supporters jeered as Real Madrid tried to recover control but kept wasting opportunities, with Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Mbappé failing to convert obvious possibilities.
As the game went on, Yamal's goal in the 77th minute and Raphinha's goal six minutes from the finish gave Barcelona the victory. "We are very happy, very happy. To win here like this is a great victory. The season is long, but this victory can help us with a lot more, with confidence and football ... so far we haven't won anything, but the important thing is that we have a clear idea, we know where we want to go," Lewandowski said to DAZN.
Mbappé has only scored once in his past five games in all competitions, so his struggles probably cause Madrid to be concerned. Three of his eight goals since joining Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in June have come from penalties, underscoring his difficulties adjusting to a squad that won the Champions League and La Liga without him the previous season.
