El Clasico exploded into life just two minutes in, as referee Cesar Soto Grado pointed to the spot for Real Madrid for a challenge on Vinicius Jr - only for the penalty to be overturned leaving the home support stunned.
It was Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal diving into a careless tackle on the Brazilian, who kicked into the teenager's boot while attempting to shoot.
While the referee initially awarded the penalty, he was instructed by VAR to go to the monitor before overturning his decision.
Madrid fans and players appeared astonished, and thought their blushes were saved shortly after as Kylian Mbappe put the hosts ahead - only to see his finish ruled out for offside.
Madridistas were quick to take to social media to express their anger at the decision, with one fan writing: "Clearly obstructing Vinicius from taking the shot & no contact with the ball, still not a penalty."
Another said: "Clear penalty denied for Real Madrid..."
El Clasico exploded into life just two minutes in, as referee César Soto Grado pointed to the spot for Real Madrid for a challenge on Vinicius Jr - only for the penalty to be overturned leaving the home support stunned.
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While a third added: "See Robbery! How is that not a penalty for Real Madrid?"
Opposing fans were also keen to point out online that it was Vinicius Jr that kicked Yamal, as opposed to the other way around.
🚨🚨| DO YOU THINK THIS SHOULD'VE BEEN A PENALTY FOR REAL MADRID⁉️ pic.twitter.com/JblTJSMwgc
— Goals Side (@goalsside) October 26, 2025
But while Xabi Alonso's side felt they had been harshly treated with two decisions going against their way in the opening moments, Mbappe stepped up again to put the hosts ahead - and this time it stood.
Jude Bellingham picked up the ball near the half-way line, before sliding the French superstar through with a superb ball.
Kylian Mbappe fired Real Madrid into the lead
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And the 26-year-old slammed the ball into the bottom corner to score his 16th goal already this season, and his 11th in just 10 La Liga games. The goal had been coming for Alonso's side, who dominated the early proceedings at the Bernabéu.
However, the visitors equalised before half-time as Fermin Lopez smashed the ball home from close range to settle the score. The Spaniard continued his fine form after scoring a hat-trick in the Champions League against Olympiacos.
This time around, the goal was set up by another English star: Marcus Rashford, who is loving life in Catalonia right now.
But Madrid had the last laugh before the half's end; Bellingham bettering his international counterpart by tapping home to score his second goal of the season.
"Knowing that you can beat your biggest rival for the title makes you believe that you can have a good season," Bellingham told Real Madrid TV prior to the game, and his performance in the first half was exactly the telling impact he was looking for.
Jude Bellingham scored his first La Liga goal of the season to put the hosts up at half-time
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The 22-year-old scored his first goal of the term against Juventus in the Champions League earlier in the week, after undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer leading to an extended period on the sidelines.
Los Blancos are looking to end a baron spell against their bitter rivals Barcelona; they have not tasted victory in their last four meetings.
Last season, during Hansi Flick's remarkable first campaign in Catalonia, the Blaugrauna beat Bellingham and co four times, including 4-0 and 5-2 routs at the Bernabeu.