From Ronaldinho’s ovation at the Bernabéu to Mourinho’s Copa del Rey revenge, these are the El Clásicos that shaped the 21st century.
10) Barcelona 3–2 Real Madrid (2011/12 Supercopa Final)
This match had everything – goals, chaos and controversy.
Messi’s brilliant brace led Barcelona to the Supercopa, but most memorable is the brawl at the end of the game. Marcelo put in a dreadful tackle on Fabregas and all hell broke loose on the pitch and sidelines, resulting in Mourinho infamously poking Tito Vilanova in the eye.
9) Real Madrid 4–2 Barcelona (2004/05)
This was a battle between the Galácticos at their peak versus a young and hungry Barcelona side. Zidane, Ronaldo, Beckham and Figo clashed with Ronaldinho, Eto’o and Deco in a pure attacking spectacle.
Madrid’s experience came through in the end, but the game hinted that Barcelona’s new generation was coming.
8) Real Madrid 2–1 Barcelona (2013/14 Copa del Rey Final)
No Cristiano Ronaldo, no problem for Madrid.
Gareth Bale’s blistering sprint down the left wing – literally running off the pitch before burning past a helpless Marc Bartra – became an instant Copa del Rey classic.
7) Barcelona 3–3 Real Madrid (2006/07)
The game that the little magician announced himself on the world stage.
A 19-year-old Lionel Messi bagged a hat-trick, with all goals coming in reply to Madrid going ahead.
His injury time equaliser was the moment football realised it was witnessing the start of something special.
6) Real Madrid 2–3 Barcelona (2016/17)
Ramos was sent off and Messi scored the winner in stoppage time – pure theatre.
His celebration of holding his shirt up to the Bernabéu crowd became an immortal football image.
Often copied, never matched.
5) Real Madrid 3–4 Barcelona (2013/14)
The lineup featured 22 genuine world-class talents, and yet neither side went on to win the league.
Messi bagged a hat-trick while Bale, Benzema and Ronaldo hit back. It was end-to-end from start to finish with Barcelona just edging it.
Madrid’s defeat ultimately helped Atlético Madrid steal the La Liga crown.
4) Real Madrid 0–5 Barcelona (2010/11)
The most one-sided El Clásico of the modern era.
In Mourinho’s first meeting with Guardiola’s Barça, his Madrid were outplayed, outclassed and out-thought.
Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets toyed with Madrid, while Messi ran the game from deep.
It was after this match that Mourinho realized that if they can’t beat Barcelona by playing football, they will have to go to war. And so they did.
3) Real Madrid 0–3 Barcelona (2005/06)
It takes a special kind of Barcelona talent to get applauded by the Bernabéu home crowd.
Ronaldinho was unstoppable that day, gliding through Madrid’s defence to score twice as Barcelona cruised to victory. Even the home fans couldn’t help but show their recognition of the mercurial Brazilian at his very best.
2) Real Madrid 1–0 Barcelona (2010/11 Copa del Rey Final)
The last – and best – of four El Clásicos in 18 days.
Pep’s Barcelona were at their absolute peak, yet Mourinho’s Madrid found a way.
In a tense, tactical battle, Cristiano Ronaldo’s extra-time header gave Madrid the Copa del Rey, their first major win over Pep’s side.
It wasn’t glamorous, but Mourinho had his revenge.
1) Real Madrid 2–6 Barcelona (2008/09)
The day the momentum shifted and football changed forever.
Guardiola unleashed Lionel Messi as a false nine, and the result was devastating. Barcelona tore Madrid apart in their own stadium.
It was footballing perfection, the purest expression of Pep’s philosophy.
