As Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare to face each other in the Copa del Rey semi-finals, we reflect on some of the greatest Clasico moments since 2000.
El Clasico is a match like no other. These two La Liga powerhouses, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have a long-standing and fierce rivalry, making for some of the most exciting and intense matchups in European football.
The fact that both sides always have a wealth of world-class players only adds to the spectacle. The likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario, Xavi, and Iniesta have all graced the Clasico stage.
The history of these games has given us some unforgettable moments, including Messi’s finest performance in club football, Jose Mourinho’s most significant defeat, and some bizarre fan antics that have only added to the intrigue.
Although Messi and Ronaldo will no longer grace the Clasico stage, the upcoming match is still not to be missed, with some of the most exciting young players in world football set to showcase their talent.
As we await this latest installment, let’s take a look back at five of the most iconic Clasico moments of the 21st century.
Ronaldinho’s Standing Ovation (2005)
In 2005, Ronaldinho earned a standing ovation at the Bernabeu, just like Diego Maradona in 1983. Ronaldinho was at his peak while playing for Barcelona, showcasing his exceptional skills on that November night against Real Madrid.
Although he was relatively quiet in the first half, Samuel Eto’o opened the scoring, and Ronaldinho’s incredible performance started in the second half. His iconic goal started from the halfway line, beating the Real defence and slotting the ball past Casillas at his near post. He added a second goal later, prompting a begrudging round of applause from the Bernabeu crowd for one of the all-time great Clasico performances.
Barcelona’s Dominant Display Under Guardiola (2010)
Derbies are rarely one-sided, but this was an exception. Barcelona was simply sensational, exhibiting their trademark possession-based football and tearing Real Madrid apart.
The pre-match hype had centered around Madrid’s recent form under new manager Jose Mourinho, who had seemingly abandoned his defensive style and instead fielded an attacking side. They had even thrashed Racing Santander 6-1 in their previous game, setting the stage for a high-scoring encounter.
And indeed, it was high-scoring, but only for one team. Barcelona scored twice in the opening 18 minutes and then added three more soon after halftime to clinch an iconic 5-0 victory. Surprisingly, Lionel Messi did not score any of the five goals, but he did set up David Villa twice, pulling the strings from his false nine position.
After the game, a dejected Mourinho acknowledged that his team had been outplayed.
Mourinho’s eye-poke incident with Vilanova (2011)
No Clasico is insignificant, but the Spanish Super Cup encounter in August 2011 should not have been particularly noteworthy. However, with Mourinho in the dugout, anything can happen.
And happen it did. After Messi scored a late winner, both teams clashed near the technical area. Amid the chaos, Mourinho walked up to Barca assistant Tito Vilanova and poked him in the eye.
Despite protests from Barcelona, the referee missed the incident, and in the pre-VAR era, nothing could be done. Mourinho apologized to Madrid fans after the game, but notably showed no remorse for his actions towards Vilanova.
He was subsequently handed a two-game suspension and only many years later expressed regret, saying: “I shouldn’t have done what I did. Of course not, that negative image will remain forever. Tito had nothing to do with it. I apologize to him.”
Bale’s Goal In 2014
In the 2014 Copa del Rey final, with only five minutes left and the score tied at 1-1 between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Gareth Bale pulled off a move that left everyone in awe. He received the ball just before the halfway line and, with a single touch, sent it spinning past Marc Bartra, creating a 30-yard gap in front of him. As Bartra tried to catch up, Bale sprinted towards the touchline and continued running off the pitch, through Barcelona’s technical area, before coming back on the field just ahead of Bartra, who was now completely off balance.
Bale then shrugged off the defender and scored what has become one of the most unforgettable goals in Clasico history, securing the victory for Real Madrid. It was a remarkable feat of athleticism and ingenuity, one that few could have imagined and even fewer could have executed.
Messi’s Goal Celebration (2017)
In 2017, during a Clasico match, Messi made a memorable gesture that left fans talking about it for years to come. The Argentine was initially casually observing the game from a distance when Barca initiated a counter-attack in the 92nd minute. However, Messi quickly sprung to life, moving towards the center as his team made their way up the field.
Jordi Alba passed the ball to Messi with precision, allowing him to take it in stride and score a magnificent goal past Courtois. But what really stood out was what happened next. In a rare move from the typically reserved superstar, Messi removed his shirt and held it up in front of the Real Madrid fans, showing off his name and number in a celebratory taunt. The moment became iconic and is still remembered by fans today.
Although the EL Classico might not be as exciting as it was a few years ago, it is safe to say that the biggest game of football has left us with fond memories of previous games in the past.