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The El Clasico is one of the game's greatest fixtures. Known for the star power that is present on the pitch due to the size of these two clubs, Barcelona vs Real Madrid is also a culturally significant game. The Catalan based Barcelona go head-to-head with the Madrid based Real at least twice a season in a high-octane game which usually never fails to deliver, in terms of entertainment and quality both.
As one of the most heated rivalries in existence, the history of Barcelona vs Real Madrid is one which has many fascinating chapters. Last-minute game-winners, shushing the home crowd, receiving a standing ovation by away fans, red cards and tussles - this game has seen it all. Both teams have gotten the better of the other on several occasions, and some El Clasico matches are the stuff of legends.
With the latest edition of the El Clasico drawing near, we take a look at some of the most memorable matches between these two European heavyweights.
#5 Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona, 27th April 2011
Usually contesting their matches in the La Liga or a domestic Spanish cup, it is rare that these two teams meet in the Champions League - it has only happened once in the past ten years. The Champions League is the biggest club competition in the world, and as such, the best of the best step up in this tournament.
When the El Clasico draw was announced, fans from both teams knew that a victory in this tie would be the ultimate bragging rights for their club. Barcelona travelled to the Santiago Bernabeu for the first leg of the tie, and they went on to shock the home fans as they won the game 0-2.
The match features here because it is the only Champions League meeting between these two sides in recent history, and because it was the night when Lionel Messi showed the world why was already one of the greatest of all-time. The little magician scored both the goals for his team past a helpless Iker Casillas and gave his side the away goal advantage as well as the win in a brilliant match. His second goal is particularly well remembered as one of his best goals ever when he skipped past four defenders before slotting the ball into the back of the net.
Barcelona would go on to win the tie and then they beat Manchester United in the finals to secure their second Champions League trophy in three years. An all-time classic of a game.
#4 Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona, Copa Del Ray Final 2014
Not all the greatest games have a big scoreline or dominance by any one team. Some games are well remembered for the moments that took place within it and for the significance of the match in question. Keeping those two things in mind, there is perhaps no El Clasico as well-remembered for a single moment as this Copa del Rey Final between the two teams in which Gareth Bale scored *that* goal.
A Barcelona vs Real Madrid game in the final of any competition is a huge deal. As such, when these two giants of Europe prepared to go against each other in the final of the Copa del Rey, all eyes were on the match as a victory would ensure a trophy, as well as bragging rights. A great game in itself, this match was the one where Bale came to age as a Galactico.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not play in the game due to an injury, which ensured that Barcelona went to the finals as favourites. Angel Di Maria put his team ahead early on in the game, but Marc Bartra equalised for Barcelona just after the hour mark. The game looked to be heading towards a stalemate before Bale decided to take matters into his own feet - El Clasico's most expensive ever player went yards off the byline to get around Bartra, before galloping into the box and finishing his 65-yard sprint by placing the ball between Jose Pinto's legs.
This moment of genius came in the 86th minute, as the Barcelona crowd were left stunned. That finish was one of the all-time great goals in the history of the fixture, and Madrid went on to win the game and the trophy.
#3 Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, 29th November 2010
This decade, Barcelona has had a slight upper hand against their bitter rivals when the two teams meet head-to-head. El Clasico's are usually a very tight affair wherein a moment of magic or tactical masterclass comes into play for the winning team, and the scorelines are not usually very one-sided.
As such, this game contested near the end of 2010 is an anomaly which Real Madrid fans would love to forget.
Welcome back to Spain, Jose Mourinho. As the new coach of Real Madrid that season, the former Champions League-winning manager journeyed to Camp Nou with a talented squad who were looking to reclaim the La Liga. 90 minutes later, the visitors headed back into the tunnel with their tails in between their legs as a rampant Barcelona thrashed them 5-0.
The home team was superior in every single department that day - better defence, much better offence. The Spanish Prime Minister at the time had predicted a 4-2 for Barcelona, but the Catalans did even better as they netted 5 past the Los Blancos without reply.
Neither of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo were on the scoresheet, as David Villa scored a brace and Sergio Ramos was sent off in the 93rd minute. Mourinho later admitted that it was the worst defeat of his life, and the image of Gerard Pique grinning with his palm open in the air is something which still infuriates the Madrid faithful.
#2 Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid, August 17th 2011
This match is remembered as arguably the most intense and stormy El Clasico of the decade. This was the second leg of the 2011 Supercopa de Espana finals, where the Copa del Rey winners (Real Madrid) faced off against the La Liga champions (Barcelona). The first leg in Santiago Bernebeu ended 2-2, and there was all to play for in the second leg at Camp Nou.
What followed was an absolute classic filled to the brim with passion and controversy. Andres Iniesta gave his team the led, and Ronaldo equalised for the visitors 5 minutes later. Messi put Barca in front again, but Karim Benzema scored in the 82nd minute to make it 2-2. 6 minutes later, the little magician stepped up again as he unleashed a beautiful volley past Casillas.
The game and the scoreline in itself made the match memorable, but it was the events in the final minutes which made it historic - Marcelo slide tackled Cesc Fabregas in stoppage time and was sent off. The foul occurred near the benches of both the teams and an all-out brawl broke out which led to David Villa and Mesut Ozil being sent off too.
During all the mayhem, Mourinho poked then Barcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eyes, who retaliated by shoving Mourinho from the back.
Overall, the game saw 8 yellow cards and 3 red cards. Amidst all that, Barcelona won the Spanish Super Cup.
#1 Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona, 2nd May 2009
Before this encounter, neither team had scored more than five goals against their rivals away from home. However, when Barcelona came to the Santiago Bernabeu during the end of the 2008/09 season, they were on course for a historic treble and were playing some of the best football the world has ever seen.
The result? The Catalan club smashed six past Real Madrid at their home ground, as the fans witnessed something unprecedented.
There is perhaps no Pep Guardiola team which played the level of football that this Barcelona team played in 2009. Real Madrid did not have Ronaldo with them at the time, but the squad was still one of the best in the world and they were outclassed by their rivals.
Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry hit twice each with Xavi Hernandez racking in a record four assists in a single game. The Los Blancos could do nothing but watch as Barca dominated possession and created more chances than they ever had in the El Clasico.
It was a masterclass from the world's best team and if there is one particular game where the Catalan club hit their peak under Pep, this was it. A mesmerising and dominant display which humbled the Madrid team in front of their support.
Also read - 5 best individual performances in El Clasico history
