Only a handful of rivalries in football ignite passion like El Clasico, the epic showdown between Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona.
For nearly a century, this clash has delivered unforgettable moments, high drama, goalmouth action, and fierce competition in a spectacle that transcends the sport.
The balance of power between both slides has always been razor-thin with Madrid winning 105 games and Barca claiming 101 victories in their 258 meetings across all competitions in nearly a century.
Modern clashes often carry added weight, with league titles and bragging rights on the line, and those who get their Barcelona vs Real Madrid tickets from Seatsnet.com often get their money’s worth.
Although some would argue that the intensity has waned since the days of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who were often the highlights of these meetings.
Recent Clasicos tend to favour Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid but their Catalan rivals have had their fair share of scalps and both sides can boast some hugely significant wins over the past few seasons.
It’ll be hard to fit the memories from this fixture in a box but here are some of the best El Clasicos in recent history.
Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona – October 2024
El Clasico rarely disappoints, and Hansi Flick’s Barca made a bold statement in his debut at the helm.
Despite Madrid’s summer coup of landing Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer, it was Barca’s collective brilliance that stole the show.
Madrid’s star-studded line up crumbled under the weight of Barca’s cohesion, built on a solid La Masia foundation. After a tight first half, the Catalans erupted in the second.
Robert Lewandowski, revitalised under Flick, scored twice, followed by a stunning strike from teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal with his weaker right foot.
Raphinha sealed the emphatic victory with a delightful chip over Andriy Lunin.
Many expected Madrid to dominate with Mbappe leading the charge, but this performance sent shockwaves throughout the capital.
Flick’s youth-infused troops might be wobbling now but they certainly had Madrid on the ropes in their own backyard.
Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid – April 2023
Madrid delivered a masterclass performance in the second leg of the 2022/23 Copa del Rey semi-final, crushing Barca 4-0 at Camp Nou to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.
The game shifted in Madrid’s favour just before half time when Vinicius Junior capitalised on a quick counter-attack to open the scoring.
In the second half, Karim Benzema stole the spotlight with a stunning hat-trick.
The French striker showcased his class with a precise 20-yard strike, a composed penalty, and a delicate chip to seal the victory and claim the match ball.
A dominant display from the Ballon d’Or winner sent Madrid into the final, where they edged Osasuna 2-1 to lift the coveted trophy, with Rodrygo netting a brace on either side of a Lucas Torro strike.
Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona – April 2017
Messi made a habit of wreaking havoc at the Bernabeu during his Barca career, but his display in the Spanish capital in April 2017 was perhaps his finest hour.
Despite Madrid ultimately winning La Liga that season, Barca’s thrilling 3-2 victory in the capital kept the title race alive for a bit longer – and it was Messi who stole the show.
The match began with Madrid in control, and they took the lead just before the half-hour mark through Casemiro’s tap-in.
However, Messi responded almost immediately with a stunning solo effort, weaving through defenders to level the score just five minutes later.
The second half saw both Messi and Ronaldo squander guilty-edged chances to tilt the game in their favour but goalkeepers Keylor Navas and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were equally heroic in the end-to-end affair.
Ter Stegen made an incredible 12 saves to keep Barca in the game, while Navas made brilliant stops to deny Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez from close range.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 73rd minute when Ivan Rakitic unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the box, giving Barca the lead.
The match took another dramatic turn just minutes later when Madrid’s captain, Sergio Ramos, was sent off for a reckless two-footed tackle on Messi. But even with ten men, Madrid refused to go down without a fight.
James Rodriguez seemed to salvage a point for the home side in the 85th minute, connecting with Marcelo’s cross to bring the game to 2-2. But Messi wasn’t done yet.
The Argentine produced a moment of magic in the dying embers of the game, netting his 500th goal for Barca with a perfectly placed shot that silenced the Bernabeu and secured a memorable win in the Spanish capital.
His celebration also created one of the most iconic images in football history as he held up his jersey in front of the Madrid faithful.
Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona – March 2014
This El Clasico lived up to its reputation, delivering seven goals, three penalties, a red card, 35 fouls and late drama – it had it all.
Barca started strong, with Andreas Iniesta scoring a precise opener in the seventh minute.
However, Madrid quickly responded as Angel Di Maria set up Benzema, who struck twice in four minutes to put the hosts ahead before the 25th minute.
Messi levelled matters just before half time, ensuring that Gerardo Martino’s men would head into the interval all square.
Controversy reigned as Ronaldo converted a penalty in the 55th minute after a foul by Dani Alves committed just outside the box.
Madrid’s joy was short-lived, though, as Ramos received a red card for bringing down Neymar in the area. Messi calmly slotted the resulting penalty to level the match again.
The drama didn’t stop there. Alves rattled the woodwork with a long-range effort, but it was Messi who stole the show. Six minutes from time, he converted yet another penalty after Iniesta was fouled by Xabi Alonso and Dani Carvajal.
Barca’s 4-3 victory ended Madrid’s 17-game home winning streak.
Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona – April 2014
Madrid faced the 2014 Copa del Rey final without their superstar Ronaldo, but Gareth Bale delivered a moment of magic to secure their victory.
Tied 1-1 against Barca with just five minutes left, Bale seized the spotlight with a goal that would go down in history.
Picking up the ball deep in his own half, the Welshman sprinted down the left flank, outpacing Marc Bartra in an astonishing display of speed and determination.
Astonishingly, the Welshman briefly stepped off the pitch to bypass Bartra, rejoining play to retrieve the ball. Charging into the box, he calmly slid the ball past goalkeeper Jose Pinto to seal a 2-1 triumph for Los Blancos.
Bale’s sensational solo effort not only won Madrid the trophy but also cemented his place in the hearts of fans with one of the greatest goals in Copa del Rey history.
