El Clasico: 5 answers to questions people ask about Spain's most intense rivalry

#3 When was the first El Clasico played?

While El Clasico has been a classic match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in the past few years, it is important we look at what happened when these two teams met for the first time in the history of this great fixture.

Barcelona and Real Madrid met for the first time in the semifinals of the Copa Coronación in 1902. The tournament was organised to celebrate the 16-year crowning of Alfonso XIII. It was also the first ever football competition that involved clubs from various parts of Spain.

The match was played at the Hippodrome in La Castellana, one of Madrid’s biggest streets, where the Santiago Bernabéu currently stands. The game started with great intensity, but La Blaugrana were able to beat their rivals 3-1 in the Spanish capital on that day.

Steinberg scored a brace, while Henry Morris scored another as the Catalans made it to the final. Arthur Johnson scored the solitary goal for Los Blancos in this great encounter.

About the author

Jidonu is a European and international football news writer at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and has around 7 years of previous experience working with the likes of Tribuna and SportRaba, Jidonu has a good eye for detail and has the ability to created cohesive articles, and reporting exploits have also led him to exclusively cover the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the past.

Jidonu’s tryst with football started after watching the 2002 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, being mesmerized by Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. Barcelona philosophy and approach towards the game under Pep Guardiola further fueled the burgeoning love for the sport, and he has been a Culer ever since.

Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi is his favorite player and is the one true GOAT for him over Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2022 FIFA World Cup final, where Messi's brace led to La Albiceleste lifting the cup left a lasting impact on him. His love for Messi also sees him follow Major League Soccer apart from Europe’s top five leagues.

In his free time, Jidonu raps and produces music, and also enjoys reading and swimming.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.