Rashford shares confident message after El Clasico defeat

Barcelona forward Marcus Rashford published a rousing message on social media after they suffered a demoralising 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the El Clásico. 

Real Madrid broke their four-match winless run against Barcelona by claiming a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday. 

Kylian Mbappé finished a sublime through-ball from Jude Bellingham to open the scoring in the 22nd minute. Barcelona replied in the 38th minute when Rashford teed up Fermin Lopez. 

Five minutes later, in the 43rd minute, Bellingham powered forward and tapped in from Eder Militão’s knock-back following Vinícius Júnior’s cross. 

The second half lacked goals but was not without its own excitement. Mbappé missed a penalty, saved by Wojciech Szczęsny. Pedri was sent off for a second yellow card, triggering touchline chaos. Real Madrid now sit five points clear at the league summit. 

This was the England international’s first El Clásico, and although it ended in defeat, his social media posts suggest he is in high spirits. 

The Manchester United loanee shared a picture of himself on Instagram, using the caption, “Clearly, not the result that we wanted yesterday. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and we will keep fighting!” 

Barcelona play Elche next in LALIGA and will be hoping to bounce back immediately after the disappointment against their bitter rivals.