Kylian Mbappe scored twice, including an 87th-minute winner, to earn victory for Real Madrid against Barcelona in El Clasico.
Barcelona were aiming to set an outright record for the most consecutive victories at the start of a Spanish top-flight season.
However, Hansi Flick’s side were unable to surpass the mark of nine straight wins set by the Real Madrid team of 1968-69.
Mbappe’s first goal four minutes before half-time was a fortuitous one; home defender Gerard Martin’s attempted clearance of Yan Diomande’s low cross flew in off the France striker past Joan Garcia.
Both teams had created chances beforehand but the game really opened up in the period between Mbappe’s opener and the interval, with Mbappe hitting the post and Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal side-footing wide from close range at the other end.
A Barcelona equaliser arrived 16 minutes into the second half as captain Raphinha collected Pedri’s pass and shot through the legs of Jude Bellingham into the far corner.
Barca defender Pau Cubarsi twice reacted well to shut down Mbappe, while Real Madrid’s Marc Cucurella took a rapid liking for Lamine Yamal’s shirt, constantly grabbing at the 19-year-old winger.
Anthony Gordon, playing in his first Clasico since joining Barcelona from Newcastle, backheeled the ball to Raphinha, who fired narrowly wide as Barca threatened.
The hosts were dealt a setback when young defender Xavi Espart pulled up hurt and needed to be replaced by Alejandro Balde before the half-hour mark.
Andriy Lunin, playing in goal for Madrid after Thibaut Courtois pulled out of the squad with flu, saved at his near post from Gordon before the visitors took the lead.
Mbappe scored his 10th league goal of the season and also his easiest, with Barca’s Gerard Martin clearing a cross straight at the Frenchman, who deflected it into the net.
Barca responded by carving out a glorious chance for an equaliser but teenage sensation Yamal for once miscued in front of goal, firing wide when poised to level.
The game opened up and Yan Diomande came close to doubling Madrid’s lead before half-time, drilling into the side-netting.
– Sting in the tail –
Martin redeemed himself early in the second half as he held off Jude Bellingham, who could neither beat the defender nor find a free Mbappe.
Raphinha, who had a quiet first half, pulled Barcelona level just after the hour mark.
Pedri fed the Brazilian, La Liga’s top goalscorer with 13, who fired through Bellingham’s legs and Lunin could not keep the shot out.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper did make a superb save to deny Martin at a corner, as Barcelona flowed forward with the wind finally in their sails.
Yamal bent an effort wide with Lunin at full stretch and Barca substitute Frenkie de Jong had a shot desperately blocked by Dean Huijsen.
There was a sting in the tail for the Catalans though as substitute Gabriel Jesus lost possession and Madrid raced through on goal.
Eduardo Camavinga beat Cubarsi and unselfishly cut the ball back for Mbappe to tuck home his second of the night into an empty net with Joan Garcia drawn out of position.
