Jose Mourinho criticised the VAR officials even after Real Madrid secured a dramatic victory in Barcelona’s own backyard.
The Portuguese manager turned back the clock with a memorable knee slide after Kylian Mbappe’s late winner moved Madrid to within three points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Mourinho’s most famous knee slide came 14 years ago, when Cristiano Ronaldo completed a 90th-minute comeback against Manchester City in the Champions League.
Now 63 and sporting a grey beard, Mourinho was once again in celebratory mood as Madrid claimed a 2-1 victory, with Mbappe scoring both goals.
However, his post-match press conference quickly turned toward his frustration with the officials. He said: ‘The referee was great but the VAR was sleeping.
‘There was a clear red card for Cancelo on Diomande that would have changed the game.’
Jose Mourinho celebrated his first El Clasico victory back at Real Madrid, although he still had plenty to say about VAR
Mourinho was furious over Jose Cancelo’s apparent stamp on Yan Diomande shortly before Raphinha levelled for Barcelona
He then celebrated Kylian Mbappe’s late winner with a trademark knee slide
Referee Juan Martínez Munuera allowed play to continue, but replays appeared to show Cancelo stamping on the forward. Raphinha restored parity a few minutes later, before he and Lamine Yamal both went close to completing Barcelona’s comeback.
Mourinho added: ‘In my view, Real Madrid do not play to win at the Camp Nou. Real Madrid play to win La Liga.
‘That has to be the mentality. We must keep going in this way and avoid getting carried away by this victory.’
The result further strengthens his impressive second spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Madrid now recording eight victories in their past nine matches across all competitions.
Mbappe gave Madrid the lead before half-time, only for Raphinha to equalise. The Ballon d’Or contender then completed his brace in the 87th minute to settle the contest.
Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi was involved in both goals. He inadvertently directed the ball toward Mbappe for the opener before being beaten by Yan Diomande in the build-up to the decisive strike.
Mourinho was an animated figure on the touchline throughout the match and even had to be calmed by the referee at one stage.
At the final whistle, however, he was all smiles. He walked across the pitch to embrace deputy goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who had replaced Thibaut Courtois after the first-choice goalkeeper was ruled out with flu.
Mbappe scored twice after capitalising on defensive mistakes from the La Liga leaders
Anthony Gordon and Jude Bellingham went head-to-head and delivered impressive performances
For all his intensity during the game and the exuberant celebration after Mbappe’s winner, Mourinho appeared relaxed once the match was over, strolling across the pitch with his hands in his pockets.
Madrid’s victory ended Barcelona’s perfect start to the league campaign and also saw them move ahead in the overall El Clasico record.
Real Madrid now have 107 derby victories to Barcelona’s 106, with the two sides having drawn 52 times.
Mourinho’s personal El Clasico record stands at six wins, six draws and six defeats in the fixture, which dates back to 1888.
England internationals Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon both made significant contributions in Sunday’s clash. Gordon created an excellent first-half opportunity for Raphinha with a clever backheel.
Former Manchester City midfielders Rodri and Bernardo Silva featured in the famous Spanish fixture for the first time, joining fellow ex-Premier League players Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella and Dean Huijsen.
Trent Alexander-Arnold came on as a substitute deep into stoppage time.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick suggested fatigue had affected his players after a demanding run of four matches in 12 days, and he did not appear excessively concerned by the defeat.
‘We were not playing at the highest level because we lacked freshness,’ he said.
‘It is not ideal for us, but we have to accept it. Defeats are part of football. This is our first defeat in 10 games.
‘We have a full week before the next match, so we can prepare properly and switch off.’
