I want to blame Thibaut Courtois when I remember that Barça came back to 2-2 because of that inexplicable mistake

It’s easy to let frustration take over after such a tense match. When Barcelona managed to come back to 2-2, many Real Madrid fans instinctively looked for someone to blame. And in that moment, Thibaut Courtois became an easy target.

His strange, almost unexplainable decision to rush out at such a critical time gifted Barcelona an equalizer that shouldn’t have happened. It was a terrible mistake, right when Madrid needed composure and control.

In the 78th minute, with the game seemingly under Real Madrid’s control, Courtois made a reckless decision to leave his goal on a ball he had no realistic chance of reaching. Barça, ever opportunistic, took advantage and punished the mistake instantly.

The images of that blunder spread across social media in seconds. The criticism came fast and harsh, with some even questioning whether Courtois still deserved his starting spot after such an error.

But if we take a step back, reducing Thibaut Courtois’ season to that one mistake would be incredibly unfair. Because truthfully, without him, Real Madrid might not even have been in the fight in the first place.

It’s too easy to forget the countless miracle saves he made this season, often at moments when the team was on the verge of collapse. Without his brilliance between the posts, how many more games would Madrid have lost?

Courtois has rescued Real Madrid time and time again, whether it was in La Liga, the Champions League, or the Copa del Rey. His reflex saves, his calm under pressure, and his dominance in aerial battles have kept Madrid alive countless times.

This has been a tough, complicated season for him too. Injuries, team imbalances, and now this high-profile mistake against Barcelona — it all feels like it’s been stacking up.

But can we really blame a player who, for years, has been one of the biggest reasons behind Real Madrid’s success? Can we forget his countless heroics the moment he makes one costly error?

We have to remember: this is just not our season. Nothing seems to go right for Madrid this year. From devastating injuries to controversial referee decisions and costly lapses of concentration, the team is battling a storm on all fronts.

In that context, pointing fingers at Thibaut Courtois feels unjust — especially considering how often he’s been the one saving us when no one else could.

Of course, the frustration is understandable. Watching Barcelona equalize like that hurts, especially in a Clásico, where every second counts and emotions run high. But gratitude is just as important as criticism.

Courtois deserves our recognition now more than ever, just as he earned it with all those unforgettable performances that carried us through impossible moments.

Let’s hope that this mistake doesn’t break his spirit, because Real Madrid still needs his experience, his leadership, and his incredible shot-stopping ability to salvage whatever it can from this season.

In the end, the biggest lesson from this night is clear: in good times and bad, great clubs protect their legends. And no matter what happens, Thibaut Courtois — mistakes and all — remains one of us.