The England midfielder struck a stunning equaliser after 68
minutes at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium and then settled his first El
Clasico with a close-range volley in the dying moments.
Barcelona had led at the interval through former Manchester
City captain Ilkay Gundogan.
Real’s Bellingham-inspired fightback took them back above
Girona to the top of LaLiga and left Barca third, four points behind.
Bellingham has now scored 13 goals in as many appearances in
what has been a remarkable start to his Real Madrid career.
Barca took the lead on six minutes when Gundogan combined
with fellow former City player Ferran Torres and calmly fired past Kepa
Arrizabalaga.
Vinicius Junior spurned a chance to level and Barca almost
doubled their advantage when Fermin Lopez struck the post.
Real also hit the woodwork when Dani Carvajal drove against
the post before the break.
Lopez hit the post again early in the second half and Kepa
reacted quickly to deny Ronald Araujo on the rebound.
Real began to rally in the latter stages with Aurelien
Tchouameni having a powerful drive touched onto the frame of the goal.
Bellingham then took charge of proceedings when he
brilliantly curled home a shot from 25 yards.
The game could still have gone either way and Robert
Lewandowski had a chance to put Barca back ahead when he fired over 10 minutes
from time.
It was Bellingham who was to have the final say. The
20-year-old was once again in the right place at the right time as he pounced
to clip home after a Cavajal cross was flicked on by Luka Modric.
Xavi’s reaction
Speaking after the match, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez
said Barcelona deserve to win the match.
Xavi said: “Even a draw wouldn’t reflect what we saw on the
pitch. I think we played a game to win but we lost, a bad result although I
think we played a good game. It’s hard, but the goal is to win the league and
this isn’t over.
“We did not lose because of the referee, we lost because we
were not effective. Losing at home to Madrid is frustrating, of course, but we
have to continue. We’re on the right track.
“Gavi was sensational. He played a great match. He’s the
soul of the team. Today, he played more as a pivot and he did very well. He
gives us the intensity that is fundamental in this team.”