Top 10 El Clasico matches in football history

El Clasico is one of the biggest rivalries in football between two of the Spanish Division's powerhouses - Barcelona and Real Madrid - but what are the best clashes between the two clubs in the 21st century?

The biggest game in Spanish football has featured some of the best to have graced the pitch - Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo - meaning that there is always top-quality football on show between the two powerhouses of the European game.

The 2024/2025 season will see Madrid and Barcelona renew their rivalry in the Copa del Rey final, while they also have a massive clash on the 11th May in La Liga that could well decide the title. This article now looks at some of the best matches from arguably the biggest game in club football (outside of a Champions League final), which have been viewed by millions of fans across the globe.

10Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid

Year: 2016

hAn El Clasico clash that started off in feisty fashion - a total of four yellow cards were shown within the opening half hour of the contest - Gerard Pique gave the home side the lead with a header. Madrid would fight back though, and would equalise through a superb volley from French striker Karim Benzema.

Los Blancos would then have a goal ruled out, before Cristiano Ronaldo announced himself on the occasion by netting what turned out to be the winner in the 85th minute. The Portuguese superstar brought the ball down on his chest before slipping it through the goalkeeper's legs. Madrid shut out their counterparts defensively, restricting them to just three shots on target all game, and forcing Lionel Messi into another goalless Clasico - his fifth straight at the time.

9Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona

Year: 2011

The 2011 Copa del Rey final was contested by arguably the two best teams on the planet at the time, and perhaps unsurprisingly, could not produce a conclusive winner after 90 minutes of action. Pepe had a header cannon off the post for Madrid, while Barcelona star Pedro saw his goal ruled out for offside.

Cristiano Ronaldo though turned up for Los Blancos, rising above two Barcelona defenders to meet a cross and power the ball home in extra-time with his head. It secured Madrid's Copa del Rey title, and ensured manager Jose Mourinho would get some form of revenge after tasting a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Barcelona a year prior to that.

8Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

Year: 2014

This game, even though there weren't five, six or seven goals, was one of the most memorable due to a moment that led to an iconic goal scored in the 2014 Copa del Rey Final. The moment was when Gareth Bale took off in another gear, leaving Marc Bartra behind and slotting to put Madrid into the lead, defeating their rivals and lifting the prestigious trophy.

It was a coming-of-age moment for the Welshman, cementing himself as a global superstar alongside Ronaldo and Benzema in Los Blancos' attacking trio. Bale took centre stage in one of the biggest games in world football in the same way other icons of the sport have done in the past.

7Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid

Year: 2010

Following on from their El Clasico dominance the season prior, Barcelona's supremacy, led by mastermind Pep Guardiola, carried on into the 2009-10 season. With Madrid spending big on their resurgence of the "Galactico Era", the likes of Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo joined the ranks.

However, the firepower of Madrid proved to be nowhere near enough once again as Barcelona would decimate Los Blancos at the Camp Nou 5-0, with David Villa being the star of the show, netting two goals. Even though he wasn't on the scoresheet, Messi made his presence known with his involvement in the majority of the goals. Frustrations grew for Madrid in the closing moments, as defender Sergio Ramos saw red.

6Real Madrid 4-2 Barcelona

Year: 2005

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5Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona

Year: 2009

The 2009 campaign was a very successful season for the Catalan giants as they would find success in Spain as well as Europe, lifting the Champions League trophy. However, a pivotal moment in the season came when Barcelona travelled to the Santiago Bernabéu, where they would exert their dominance, led by a lethal front three of Messi, Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o.

Barcelona would go on to win the game 6-2 on Madrid soil, with Messi and Henry getting the pick of the bunch, putting two goals each past Spanish legend Iker Casillas. Barca showcased dominance throughout, utilising the tiki-taka dynamic to maintain 63% possession and having three times more shots than their rivals.

4Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona

Year: 2015

In the prime of the MSN era at Barcelona, they looked almost unstoppable in the Spanish Division. However, an injury to Messi meant that they would be without him for the first El Clasico of the season. To the fans' surprise, CR7 didn't prove to be the influence in this game, but it was Luis Suárez and Neymar who would be crucial as Barcelona brutalised Los Blancos 4-0 at the Bernabeu.

Similar dominance to that of a famous 5-0 victory that took place 5 years prior in the 2010/11 season and the massive surprise of this result (considering the lack of the GOAT playing) is why it sits towards the top of the list.

3Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid

Year: 2007

By the time 2007 rolled around, everyone was already well aware of the talent and potential of a young man named Messi. However, this 3-3 draw in one of the most thrilling Clasicos of the 21st century saw the entire football world sit up and recognise that we were witnessing greatness unfold in front of our eyes. Already being trusted by the manager at the time, Frank Rijkaard, the Argentine bagged all three of his side's goals.

Starting the game sensationally, Messi found the back of the Real Madrid net twice inside the first half an hour before weaving through the opposition defence and rifling in a last-gasp equaliser after his side had found themselves 3-2 down heading into the dying moments. Ruud van Nistelrooy bagged a brace for the away side and Sergio Ramos had thought he had earned Madrid a historic win at the Camp Nou before Messi's late brilliance.

2Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid

Year: 2011

In one of the most dramatic and hard-hitting El Clasico's to date, the 2011 season saw both teams collide in the Supercopa de Espana. The first game ended 2-2 at the Bernabeu. However, it was the second leg that had fans out of their seats as it had everyone that a football game could offer, from goals to fouls. This match was unmissable and ultimately unforgettable.

The game got off to a quick start with Iniesta taking the lead for Barcelona before Ronaldo quickly replied for Los Blancos. It would soon shift into the Messi show as the magician would score two goals, with one coming in the 88th minute to secure the game.

The game also saw plenty of red cards after a foul from Marcelo on Cesc Fabregas instigated an all-out brawl which saw four players sent off, and an incident where Jose Mourinho poked Tito Vilanova in the eye.

1Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona

Year: 2017

Lionel Messi stepped up to deliver when his side needed it most, as the magical Argentine netted a dramatic winner at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2017 to give his side a 3-2 victory. In need of a win to keep up the pace with their rivals in La Liga, the Catalan side travelled to Madrid with a tough task on their hands. Messi drew his team level with a wonderful strike after they had fallen a goal behind.