El Clasico iconic moments: history of Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry (2024)

Spanish giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona always produce fascinating matches, each special in their own way.

Yet, there are some football matches and moments which will live on forever in the memory of both sets of fans.

Here, we take a look at some of them by revisiting some iconic moments from the history of the iconic Real Madrid vs Barcelona fixture.

Biggest El Clasico win

The biggest win in a Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona La Liga match was when Los Blancos beat Barca 8-2 at their old stadium in Chamartín on February 3, 1935. This result remains the largest league win in an El Clasico to date.

Fernando Sañudo scored four for Madrid while Fernando Sañudo slammed a hat-trick. Luis Regueiro accounted for the home team’s final goal while Josep Escolà and Ramón Guzmán managed two consolation goals for the Catalans.

Raúl silences the Camp Nou

On October 13, 1999, Raúl González scored a crucial goal at the Camp Nou to tie the match at 2-2. Raúl’s celebration was memorable as he put his finger to his lips, making a ‘silence’ gesture towards the FC Barcelona fans. It became an iconic image in football.

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Gerard Piqué’s manita celebration

The match on November 29, 2010, is one of the most memorable in the history of El Clasico. Barcelona defeated Real Madrid with a resounding 5-0 scoreline at the Camp Nou.

After scoring the fifth goal, Gerard Piqué raised his hand showing his five fingers, symbolising the manita or the five-goal win that his team had just achieved. This gesture remains engraved in the memory of Los Culés.

In football, a manita is a match won by a score of 5-0. The term refers to the five fingers of a hand.

Ronaldinho’s ovation at Bernabeu

On November 19, 2005, Ronaldinho scored twice in Barcelona’s 3-0 win at the Bernabéu and pulled off several magical moves that left the fans in awe. The Brazilian was the man of the match in that win and even some Real Madrid fans decided to recognise the display by applauding the Barca player.

Barcelona’s guard of honour for Real Madrid at Bernabeu

On May 7, 2008, one of the most historic moments in El Clasico history played out ahead of the duel between Real Madrid and Barcelona. Los Blancos were already mathematically La Liga champions and Barca, as their next opponent, gave them a guard of honour.

It was an elegant gesture, especially given that the Catalan team had missed out on the title. Real Madrid then proceeded to win the match 4-1.

Barcelona players form a guard of honour for La Liga champions Real Madrid

(Getty Images)

Guardiola’s Barcelona beat Real Madrid 6-2 at Bernabeu

May 2, 2009, will forever be a day to remember for Barcelona fans. Pep Guardiola’s Barca team thrashed Real Madrid 6-2 at the Bernabeu, putting on a footballing master class. It helped them clinch the 2008-09 La Liga title, with the Catalans going on to win a historic sextuple in 2009.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘calma’ as he seals title at Camp Nou

Cristiano Ronaldo starred in a 2-1 victory in a La Liga 2011-12 El Clasico, played at the Camp Nou on April 21, 2012. That result played a huge part in earning Ronaldo his first La Liga championship since arriving in Spain.

He netted the final goal after a brilliant pass by Mesut Özil and the Portuguese forward celebrated the goal by playfully calling everyone to “calma” or to stay calm. The celebration has become an iconic imagery in football history and has been replicated by many stars over the years across sports.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo score two each

One of the most thrilling El Clasicos in the history of the derby played out at Camp Nou on October 7, 2012. Though the match ended in a 2-2 draw, it was a spectacular match which saw two of the best footballers to ever walk the planet take centre stage.

Superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scored two goals each.

Lionel Messi’s iconic shirt celebration at Bernabeu after scoring last minute

On April 23, 2017, Lionel Messi scored a last-minute goal to earn Barcelona a last-gasp 3-2 win over their arch-rivals at the Bernabeu.

The goal was scored in the 93rd minute of the match and Los Culés achieved a win that helped them stay in the La Liga title race that season. Messi had an extraordinary game and scored two goals. After netting the winner, he took off his shirt and held it up to the stands, showing his name and number.

Like Ronaldo’s calma, the celebration has achieved a classic status in the world of football.

El Clasico iconic moments: history of Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry (2024)
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