Ahead of this season’s first El Clasico, we’ve ranked five of the best Real Madrid vs Barcelona matches since the turn of the century.
Recent highlights include last May’s 4-3 triumph for Barca despite a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick and Jude Bellingham’s stoppage-time decider in a 3-2 Real win in April 2024 - but they don’t quite make the final cut.
Is Real Madrid vs Barcelona the greatest rivalry in European football?
Five Of The Best El Clasico Matches: Top Real Madrid vs Barcelona Battles Ranked
5. REAL MADRID 2 BARCELONA 6 (May 2009)
5. REAL MADRID 2 BARCELONA 6 (May 2009)
Real, who were on a run of seven straight wins and had dropped just two poins in 18 LaLiga matches, went ahead through Gonzalo Higuain as they tried to cut the gap on table toppers Barca to just one point.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side hit back and stormed into a 3-1 lead at the break, setting up an historic Treble that season, with Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi bagging a brace at the Bernabeu, backed up by goals from Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique.
4. BARCELONA 3 REAL MADRID 3 (March 2007)
4. BARCELONA 3 REAL MADRID 3 (March 2007)
Both teams were under pressure to perform after each had crashed out of the Champions League in midweek via the away goals rule but they served up a cracker, dominated by a teenage Messi hitting a hat-trick.
Real led three times through two goals for Ruud van Nistelrooy and one for Sergio Ramos, while Barca had Oleguer Presas sent off just before the break, but Messi responded each time and completed his treble with a superb solo effort in added time.
3. REAL MADRID 4 BARCELONA 2 (April 2005)
3. REAL MADRID 4 BARCELONA 2 (April 2005)
At the height of the Galacticos era, this stellar performance began with a brave headed goal by Zinedine Zidane before Ronaldo nodded in a wicked David Beckham cross from a free-kick.
Samuel Eto’o gave Barca some hope of a comeback but Raul finished off a great run by Roberto Carlos and then Michael Owen raced onto a beautiful ball over the top by Beckham to put Real out of sight prior to Ronaldinho’s consolation effort.
2. REAL MADRID 3 BARCELONA 4 (March 2014)
2. REAL MADRID 3 BARCELONA 4 (March 2014)
A pulsating opening period finished 2-2 after Karim Benzema hit a double for Real in between strikes by Andres Iniesta and Messi - but the real drama developed following the break.
Cristiano Ronaldo put the hosts ahead with a 55th-minute penalty but Sergio Ramos was then sent off for bringing down Neymar in the box and Messi made no mistake before scoring again from the spot late on to win it for the Catalan giants.
1. REAL MADRID 2 BARCELONA 3 (April 2017)
1. REAL MADRID 2 BARCELONA 3 (April 2017)
A match which will forever be remembered for an iconic goal celebration began brightly for Real, who dominated early on and led through Casemiro, only for Messi and Ivan Rakitic to turn things around.
The hosts looked out for the count when Ramos saw red midway through the second half but James Rodriguez pulled them level late on.
However, with his 500th goal for the club, Messi fired a stoppage-time shot into the bottom corner before removing his shirt and holding it aloft in front of the shellshocked Bernabeu fans.
Bet on La Liga Odds at BOYLE Sports
*Prices are subject to fluctuation
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly
