Jose Mourinho produces vintage knee slide after beating Barcelona in El Clasico

Jose Mourinho produced a vintage knee slide as Real Madrid dramatically defeated rivals Barcelona 2-1 in El Classico at Camp Nou.

The 63-year-old manager was taking charge of the fixture for the first time since his return to the Real Madrid dugout, 13 years after the end of his first spell at the club.

Kylian Mbappé with what could be a late winner for Real Madrid! 😱😱

Wild celebrations from Los Blancos, including a Jose Mourinho knee slide, as an away Clásico win beckons! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/c05FU3kdp1

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 25, 2026

And his players produced a statement performance to hand LaLiga leaders Barcelona their first defeat of the season, as Kylian Mbappe scored a brace.

Mbappe’s winner, in the 88th minute, saw Mourinho drop to his knees and punch the air – recreating one of the most iconic moments of his managerial career.

The Portuguese famously celebrated Inter Milan’s Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona in 2010 by running onto the Camp Nou pitch and doing a knee slide on the turf.

“It was the most difficult match, against the highest quality opponent, one that had only won in the league,” Mourinho said afterwards. “For us, it’s the victory with the most impressive performance.”

Both sides created a series of half-chances early on, but Real’s forays forward came with far more resolve. Barca manager ​Hansi ⁠Flick’s frustration on the touchline served as evidence that Mourinho’s game plan was functioning better than his own.

In the 41st minute Yan Diomande crossed from the left and Gerard Martin’s soft clearance hit the onrushing Mbappe, bouncing off him and into the net. Barcelona had the chance to level before the break after a fortunate ricochet, but Lamine Yamal couldn’t convert from close range.

It was a set piece that undid Real in the 61st minute, with Pedri’s reverse pass finding Raphinha in space in the box and the Brazilian finishing into the corner.

Real’s swift movement of the ball in their own half continued ⁠to expose the Barcelona backline in the early stages of the second half. However, following the goal, the visitors found it increasingly hard to escape Barcelona’s pressing.

Barcelona’s attacks were now finishing with last-ditch blocks from the Real defence, even if Mourinho’s side continued to carry a threat going forward.

That defensive conviction was rewarded with three minutes remaining. A loose touch from Barcelona ‌substitute Gabriel Jesus set Real on the counter-attack, and substitute ​Eduardo Camavinga had enough pace to get in behind the defence, ‌before squaring the ball for ⁠Mbappe to tap into the empty net.

Includes reporting from Reuters