### Mbappé Shines Amid Offside Drama as Real Madrid Takes Lead in El Clasico

In a much-anticipated El Clasico clash at Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid has taken an early lead against Barcelona, thanks to a goal from Kylian Mbappé on his debut in the historic fixture. The game has been a whirlwind of events and near-misses, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

The match started with high intensity, and Real Madrid showcased their dominance in the initial minutes. Both Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. continually troubled Barcelona’s high defensive line, barely missing the offside trap on several occasions. Despite moments of control from Barcelona, Real Madrid's attacking duo maintained pressure, nearly opening the scoring multiple times, only to be denied by the flag.

Controversy struck when a would-be goal from Mbappé was ruled out for offside, causing disappointment for the French striker and Real Madrid fans. However, moments later, he succeeded in breaking the deadlock, putting Real Madrid ahead amid wild celebrations. VAR was consulted for the first goal, adding to the dramatic atmosphere, but Mbappé's successful strike stood unquestioned.

Barcelona, although dominant in possession with a 58% hold, struggled to create substantial opportunities early on. Raphinha and Lewandowski found it tough to make a significant impact against Madrid's resilient defense. Pedri, despite looking sharp initially, appeared to struggle with an ankle issue, casting doubt on his ability to play the full 90 minutes.

Real Madrid's defense also had its moments of vulnerability. A poor clearance from Rudiger almost allowed Barcelona to capitalize, but Raphinha’s shot went high over the crossbar. Goalkeeper Lunin was forced into action to deny a solid strike from Pedri, showcasing the back-and-forth nature of this intense rivalry.

The first ten minutes saw Barcelona's attempts to press high and keep the ball, but continuous pressure from Madrid, including three consecutive corners, underlined their aggressive tactics. A noteworthy moment came when Vinicius Jr. worked his way into a prime shooting position but failed to convert, much to Barcelona's relief.

Both teams’ line-ups were finely balanced, with Camavinga starting over Modric for Madrid and Fermin selected ahead of Dani Olmo for Barcelona. This tactical decision by the coaches added an extra layer of intrigue to the match.

As the game progressed, Madrid seemed more likely to extend their lead, while Barça struggled to maintain prolonged spells of solid possession. Nonetheless, Barcelona fans remained hopeful, tucked high in the fourth tier of the stadium, cheering their team on in what has been a thrilling opening half of the 2024-25 season's first El Clasico.

In conclusion, the game thus far has been a testament to the enduring rivalry and intense competition between these two football giants. With Real Madrid leading and plenty of action left in the match, fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Barcelona will respond in the second half.