'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
El Clásico is a fixture which is played between the two heavyweights of Spanish football namely Real Madrid and Barcelona. Earlier in the time, it was referred to only those games which were played in the LaLiga but, nowadays the term is used for every time these two teams meet whether in Champions League or Copa del Rey.
As these two teams are at the apex of the football pyramid, these games are mostly played when the stakes are pretty high. Also, a history of rivalry between the two sides makes these encounters even more intense.
The game also features some of the biggest names in the football world so the quality of the game is always top class. Here are the 5 most memorable El Clasicos in recent memory.
#5 Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid (28 October 2018)
This was the first El Clasico for the new Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui. This game was also special in the sense that for the first time since 2007 neither of the world's two best players in Messi and Ronaldo was present for this game.
Messi was struggling with an injury whereas Ronaldo had moved to Juventus. This match between the two giants gave a chance to many young players who till now were under the shadow of Messi and Ronaldo to come into the limelight.
It turned out to be a rather one-sided affair with the likes of Suarez and co. running riots in the Real Madrid defence. Suarez scored a brilliant hat-trick sandwiched between Coutinho's Jordi Alba assisted opener and Arturo Vidal's first El Clasico goal in the dying minutes for Barcelona. Marcelo scored the only goal for Real Madrid in the nascent stages of the second half.
This game also could prove to be a tipping point of the Real Madrid board as it could result in the sacking of Julen Lopetegui who has thus far struggled to fill the shoes of Zinedine Zidane.
Real Madrid is placed 9th on the LaLiga table and is struggling to find goals since the departure of Ronaldo from their team.
#4 Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid (10 March 2007)
It was the march of 2007, the Barcelona team then consisted of the Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho, Cameroonian speedster Samuel Eto'o, Portuguese wizard Deco and midfield maestro in the form of Xavi and Iniesta. They also had a young teenager flaunting his long hair, playing at the right side of attack, a certain Lionel Messi.
This game was being billed as the worst before it started because of the poor performances in the Champions League where both these teams had been knocked out in early rounds. The game started on a very depressing note and ended as one of the most memorable one in a few years.
The game started with Real Madrid taking the lead through Ruud van Nistelrooy's fourth-minute opener. However, Messi brought them back on level terms 5 minutes later from an assist off Eto'o.
Ruud van Nistelrooy scored one more goal in the 13th minute which was once again nullified by another Messi strike off another Eto'o assist in the 28th minute.
Sergio Ramos scored Real Madrid's last goal with 17 minutes to go in the game. But, it was not to be for Real Madrid as Messi completed his first of two El Clasico hat-tricks from an assist by Ronaldinho in the stoppage time.
This was Messi's first Hattrick for Barcelona and it was the dawn of an era. An era which was dominated by Messi.
#3 Barcelona 4 - 3 Real Madrid (23 March 2014)
This game was one of those movies which take a turn at every instance and you never know what the end is gonna be like. It was a thrilling clash between the two with the league title at stake.
Barcelona had a genuine chance of defending their title and even Real Madrid stood a chance. It was being touted as the virtual final for the title. This game was memorable because of the intensity at which it was played.
The game started with Iniesta opening the account for visitors in the 7th minute to give them a sniff of the title but opportunistic Benzema scored two in quick succession to send Barcelona behind.
Messi soon equalised and gave Barcelona some real hopes before a Christiano Ronaldo penalty almost made them disappear. It seemed like the final nail in the coffin for Barcelona.
However, Sergio Ramos was shown the Red Card in the 63rd minute and thereafter it was Messi's show altogether. Messi won and converted two penalties to take Barcelona to a memorable victory at the Bernabeu.
This was Messi's second penalty in succession and he also became the top goal scorer of all time in El Clasico with 21 goals at that time. It was also Messi's latest of the two El Clasico hat-tricks.
#2 Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (23 April 2017)
Another Clasico, and yet another Messi show. Lionel Messi scored his 500th Barcelona goal in second-half stoppage time as his side beat 10-man Real Madrid 3-2 in an unimaginable El Clasico at Bernabeu.
Prior to this game Real Madrid was at the top of the table and looked set to win their first league title since 2012. A win or even a draw in this game would have virtually sealed the LaLiga title for Real Madrid.
A late equalizer from James Rodriguez in the 85th minute almost sealed that needed draw for Real Madrid but a dramatic goal from Messi from the last kick of the match gave Barcelona the victory. Barcelona dislodged Madrid from the apex of the table after this game.
This game will also be remembered for its controversies. As an early penalty shout from Ronaldo was turned down by the Referee, as well as a send-off appeal for Casemiro and Sergio Ramos was also controversially sent off during this game.
#1 Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona (7 May 2008)
There are a few games where you get demolished. There are a few others where you get embarrassed, and then there is a third category, the worst one where you get embarrassed and demolished.
Well, this game was certainly one of those moments for Barcelona. As Real Madrid was recently crowned champions Barcelona had to form a guard of honour for their bitter rivals which were embarrassing from the point of view of many Barca supporters and players and if that one was not enough Barca got destroyed by the fluency of the Real Madrid attack.
Goals from Arjen Robben, Raul, Higuain and Nistelrooy gave Real Madrid a 4-0 lead with Henry pulling back one in the dying minutes of the game as a saving grace. Many Barcelona fans still consider this moment as the most embarrassing in the club's recent history.
