In a stunning display, Barcelona overwhelmed Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico, marking a disappointing debut for Kylian Mbappé in the rivalry. Robert Lewandowski shone brightest, scoring two goals that silenced the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The first came in the 54th minute, courtesy of a brilliant assist from Marc Casadó, a rising talent in Barcelona's youth ranks. Just three minutes later, Lewandowski doubled his tally with a well-placed header, putting his team firmly in control.

With these goals, Lewandowski notched his 16th and 17th of the season, boosting his La Liga-leading tally to 14. He was also unfortunate not to complete a hat-trick after hitting the post earlier in the match.

The rout continued in the 77th minute when the teenage sensation Lamine Yamal scored his first goal in an El Clasico, firing a powerful shot over goalkeeper Andriy Lunin from an acute angle. Raphinha then capped the evening with a chipped shot in the 84th minute, taking advantage of Real Madrid’s desperate attempts to push forward.

For Mbappé, the match was a frustrating affair. The French star found himself frequently caught offside, thanks to Barcelona’s well-organized defense, and he struggled to make an impact, missing a crucial one-on-one opportunity against Iñaki Peña, Barcelona’s second-choice keeper. This lackluster performance underscored the challenges he faced in this high-stakes encounter.

On the sidelines, Hansi Flick celebrated his first El Clasico as Barcelona's head coach with great satisfaction. Despite ongoing financial issues that have cast shadows over the club's future, Flick has made significant strides since taking over from Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández last summer. Under his guidance, Barcelona has developed a formidable squad, opening up a six-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after 11 matches.

Casadó, who was an unknown reserve team player before Flick’s promotion of him to a starting role as a holding midfielder, expressed pride in the team's performance. “We had a challenging week with tough matches, but we knew how to deliver tonight. We played exceptionally well,” he said. His selection was part of a broader strategy by Flick, who included five homegrown players in his starting lineup. This same squad had recently triumphed over Bayern Munich 4-1 in the Champions League.

Barcelona’s youthful side featured six players under the age of 22, including 17-year-olds Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, who displayed remarkable composure in a high-pressure environment. Yamal, who had already made headlines this summer when he helped Spain defeat France in the European Championship, continued to prove his prowess on the big stage, outshining Mbappé when it mattered most.

Mbappé’s struggles were evident early in the game, as he was flagged offside no less than five times within the first half-hour. Barcelona's aggressive pressing kept Madrid on the back foot, with Vinícius Júnior also missing a significant opportunity in the 21st minute when he shot wide from a close range.

As the final whistle blew, Barcelona not only celebrated a historic victory but also sent a message to the rest of La Liga about their determination and skill under Flick’s management. With their eyes firmly set on the future, Barcelona’s blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned talent promises to make them a force to be reckoned with in the ongoing season.