Top 10 Most Memorable El Clasico Games

Real Madrid and Barcelona: two household names in world football. The clashes between these two titans are always of the highest caliber, and El Clasico has produced some of the most spectacular and memorable moments over the past 10 years. Although every clash has its fair share of flair, flamboyance, and of course, controversy, we’ve narrowed down a list of the top 10 Clasicos that have truly brought wonders to the footballing world.

10. October 22 2006 – Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona | Raul and Ruud On Target

Fabio Capello had been in charge at Madrid for a meager two months before Marca and AS came calling for his head. Los Blancos were playing unattractive, defensive football and had only managed 11 out of a possible 24 points. When Barca came to town, an air of cynicism had circulated around the city, with many believing that Ronaldinho and Co. would destroy Madrid as they did a year earlier.

However, it took Raul only two minutes to get on the scoresheet, firing a trademark header past Valdes. The second was even more delightful, as Ruud van Nistelrooyvolleyed home after a pint-point cross from Robinho. The victory sent vibes of optimism around the Spanish capital, with many people believing Capello would finally bring an end to the miserable four year drought.

Raul Fires A Bullet

9. November 29 2009 – Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid | Fall of the Neo-Galacticos

Florentino Perez’s neo-Galacticos came up against the historic, treble-winning Barcelona side in the most highly anticipated Clasico of recent years. The all-star lineup of Kaka,Cristiano Ronaldo, Leo Messi, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic provided a footballing spectacle that’s hard to forget. Los Blancos had the better of chances in an end-to-end affair.

Ronaldo tormented Abidal and Dani Alves, while Puyol showed the world why he’s the world’s best center-back with a stunning performance that neutralized Kaka and Higuain. In the end, it was Ibracadabra’s magical volley that blasted Barca to their third successive Clasico win.

Ronaldo And Puyol Battle It Out

8. December 23 2007 – Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid | Baptista Silences The Blaugrana

Madrid came to the Camp Nou knowing full-well that they needed something special to grab the three points. A breathtaking defensive performance spearheaded by Pepe (who has never again played at that level) and a magical performance by Iker Casillas ensured that Madrid kept a clean sheet. On the other end of the field, Julio Baptista and Ruud van Nistelrooy exchanged a one-two for ‘The Beast’ to rifle home a stunning volley from outside the box past Victor Valdes. Schuster perfected his defensive game-plan, and Madrid never looked as composed as they did that night.

It's All About The Beast

7. April 10 2005 – Real Madrid 4-2 Barcelona | Galacticos Get It Right

This match will go down for having the most decorated players of this generation to get on the scoresheet. Real Madrid had gone through a very rough two years, but they turned on the style as they destroyed the Blaugrana 4-2 at the Bernabeu. Zidane, Raul, Ronaldo, and Michael Owen scored for Madrid, whereas Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o netted for Barca. It was a delightful display of pure, attacking Spanish football, with countless chances on both ends throughout the 90 minutes. The delighted Madrid fans screamed ‘Ole!’ with every pass their heroes completed.

Hands Off! Xavi vs Zizou

6. March 4 2001 – Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona | Raul and Rivaldo Steal The Spotlight

One of the most controversial ties in recent years. Los Blancos legend Raul opened the scoring early in the tie, only for the on-fire Rivaldo to cancel out his strike. Raul retaliated with another goal one minute later, but Rivaldo yet again found the equalizer with twenty minutes on the clock to level the game at 2-2.

The Brazilian then scored a third goal, which took a wicked deflection off Ivan Helguera, but the referee ruled out the strike for offside in what was clearly a legitimate goal. The game spurred out of control and tempers flew. A young(er) Pep Guardiola raced onto the field and screamed his head off at the referee, until being dragged back to the dugout by his team-mates.

5. November 24 2002 – Barcelona 0-0 Real Madrid | Luis Figo Returns To The Camp Nou

I was at the Camp Nou for this match and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The game was absolutely horrifying. Flares, whiskey bottles, lighters, blades, and even a pig’s head, were being hurled onto the pitch in an attempt to punish Luis Figo, who had ‘betrayed’ Barca by joining Madrid earlier that year. While TV cameras caught a good portion of this, the experience at the stadium was at a totally different level. The ear-splitting whistles every time Figo touched the ball shook the stands like an earthquake.

The football was not a spectacle to remember as the game saw little chances, many fouls, and ended goalless. However, it's games like this that remind you that El Clascio is more than just a football game; its about the social, economical, cultural, and political tensions that are dug deep into the roots of Catalunya and Castile.

4. March 10 2007 – Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid | The Historic Hat-Trick Of Leo Messi

The 06/07 campaign was the best La Liga season in recent memory, and this game was the memorable turning point. Fabio Capello’s Real Madrid were leading 3-2 at the Camp Nou thanks to a van Nistelrooy double. Leo Messi scored two relatively easy goals, but the third was groundbreaking.

The game entered stoppage time, only for Ronaldinho to play a slick ball to Messi, who danced past Sergio Ramos and Ivan Helguera, and blasted his third past the hapless Iker Casillas. The game saw Messi reach the pinnacle of world football, were he still remains three years later. It was truly a performance for the ages by Little Leo, who can boast the only Clasico hat-trick of the decade.

Catch Me If You Can

3. November 19 2005 – Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona | Dinho's Standing Ovation

Probably the single-best performance of Ronaldinho’s illustrious career. The Brazilian magician scored a brace at the Bernabeu, but that only speaks half the story. Throughout the entire match, King Ronnie tormented the Madrid defense with his magical skills and flicks. He skipped past three Madrid players before slotting home past Iker Casillas, when the whole Santiago Bernabeu got up to its feet to applaud a legendary player who comes only once in a lifetime.

Ronnie Teaches Ramos The Samba

2. May 7 2008 – Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona | The Guard of Honor

Los Blancos had already won the league in astonishing fashion under coach Bernd Schuster, while Barcelona were playing their worst football since the turn of the century. Prior to kick off, Barcelona’s players had to line up and applaud the Madrid players as they came out of the tunnel onto the pitch. Barca icons Xavi and Puyol said the ‘pasillo’ was the most humiliating experience of their lives. The humiliation didn’t stop there though, as Madrid thumped Barca 4-1 to cap off a brilliant La Liga season.

Barca Greeting The Champions

1. May 2 2009 – Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona | Demolition At The Bernabeu

Probably the most humiliating game in the elusive history of Real Madrid (and most triumphant for Barca). Two coaches and a vote-rigging scandal saw the capital side endure an awful season, but Juande Ramos had turned things around, leading Madrid to an 18-week unbeaten streak. Higuain opened the scoring early on and Madrid could have fought back when Sergio Ramos closed the gap to 3-2 at half time.

But it was not meant to be as Barca kept pumping relentlessly at the home side, with the likes of Xavi, Thierry Henry, and Messi carving out the Madrid defense to pieces. The Catalans demolished Madrid in astounding fashion, netting six past Casillas and the victory was the cherry on top of a momentous cake for Barca, who went on that year to win an unprecedented sextuple.

Barca Make The Bernabeu Their Own

source:goal.com