This content will inform you about the best and most intense El Clasico games of the 21st century. “The world stops when the El Clasico Begins”. The most famous rivalry in football really does have its specialty to stop the world. Whenever the two Spanish giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid take on each other, the world divides into 2 parts. The two archrivals have produced so many thrilling contests throughout history. But here we will discuss their top 10 battles which took place in the 21st century. Have a look at the Best El Clasico Matches of the 21st Century. Most Iconic Football Stadiums in the World.
Best El Clasico Matches of the 21st Century
Find out which games have grabbed a place among the Best El Clasico Matches of the ongoing century.
#Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona – (La Liga; March, 2014)
A sublime Leo Messi hat-trick, Cristiano Ronaldo goal, sending off for Sergio Ramos, as many as 3 penalties, and a late winner! All these things happened within the very same game and hence it’s certainly the best El Clasico of the century so far. Well, the two rivals came face to face at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in a late La Liga fixture. The drama started right in the 7th minute of the game when Iniesta handed Barca an early lead. But Karim Benzema was ready to answer and he even had a better answer as the French man scored back-to-back goals within 4 minutes. In fact, 2 Di Maria assists saw the Whites leading in the 24th minute. By the way, Barcelona talisman Leo Messi made sure that the two counterparts went onto halftime with level pegging.
The referee came into the action for the very first time during the earlier part of the 2nd half. He pointed toward the spot and Messi’s lifetime individual rival Cristiano Ronaldo gave his team another lead. When the Portuguese scored in the 55th minute, he might have thought that he has done enough. But there was still so much left to happen. 8 minutes later the ref gave a send-off to Sergio Ramos and the Catalans got another penalty. Messi once again put his name on the card and made line 3 all. Well, the drama still didn’t end at all. The ref had to give another penalty and it was the 3rd time Alberto Undiano Mallenco blew his whistle for the spot kick. And Messi steps ahead once again, successfully beat Diego Lopez, and gifted Barcelona not only a delightful victory but also 3 crucial points.
If you have time in hand, then you may have a try to watch the highlights of this fixture which ranks first in our Best El Clasico Matches of the century list.
#Real Madrid 2-3 Barcelona – (La Liga; April, 2017)
The Catalans were scheduled to visit Santiago Bernabeu to face their sheer rivals in the late La Liga encounter. The situation was ‘Win or Win” for FC Barcelona to have any chance to retain their La Liga title. However, it was never an easy task to come back home with an away victory from the opposition’s fortress. The ball rolled on and Los Blancos drew the first blood. Their Brazilian midfielder Casemiro opened the scoring in the 28th minute of the game. But the lead didn’t last for more than 5 minutes. Leo Messi made his presence felt in the 33rd minute of the game thanks to an Ivan Rakitic assist. The first half ended with the score line reading 1 all.
In the 2nd half, Barcelona got a lead in the 73rd minute. Their first goal’s assist provider, the Croat sensation Rakitic this time came up with a goal to his name. Sergio Ramos’ customary red card came just 4 minutes later and things seemed done and dusted for the hosts. But substitute James Rodriguez scored possibly the most memorable goal in his Madrid career to equalize for his team on the 85th. The 2 sides were heading towards a draw and then the greatest El Clasico player of all time “Leo Messi” came into the action. He scored a stunner with the last shot of the game and Rob Palmer went on screaming on Sky Sports, “Jordi Alba, LIONEL MESSIIIII!!!! Oh my goodness, Lionel Messi has done it again, he’s superhuman!”
#Barcelona 3-3 Real Madrid – (La Liga; March, 2007)
Two star-studded antipathies took on each other in a match week 26 fixture. The Catalans hosted the Blancos at the iconic Camp Nou Stadium. Spectators across the world were expecting a brilliant game of football. But perhaps, they never that they would be witnessing that much of a good game. Madrid’s Dutch superstar Ruud Van Nistelrooy who already had 12 goals beside his name before the start of the game, broke the deadlock very early. His 5th-minute opener got canceled out by Messi on the 11th. But soon the former United frontman scored another from the spot to regain the lead for his team.
But it was the day Messi chose to make himself familiar to the soccer world. He scored again to make sure that his club doesn’t trail at the break. Well, Madrid went ahead for the 3rd time in the game when Sergio Ramos scored a brilliant header to net his 2nd goal of the campaign. But that little Argentine sensation still had some magic left in his pouch. He scored a very very late equalizer and in fact the 3rd equalizer of the game to gift himself his first every Clasico hat-trick. And yes this performance also made sure that his beloved club’s opponent couldn’t go back home with more than one point.
#Real Madrid 2-1 FC Barcelona – (Copa del Rey Final; April, 2014)
On an exciting evening in April, the 2 Spanish super giants welcomed each other in a Copa Del Rey final at the Mestalla Stadium. The home of Valencia got crowdy to watch the 2 star-studded sides battling it out for the most prestigious cup trophy of Spanish football. It was Angel Di Maria who opened the netting in the 10th minute of the game. The side from the Spanish capital went onto the break with a goal lead. But Marc Bartra found an answer for the Catalans as his 68th-minute header saw them coming back into the level pegging.
The Clasico was heading towards a draw. But the Galactico’s thenceforth world record signing Gareth Bale had some urgency. Even if he hadn’t, his superb sprinting solo run would justify that he definitely had to go home early, and that too with the Copa Del Rey trophy. The Welshman’s Usain Bolt-like extravagant pace left poor Marc Bartra for dead. The winger raced around the outside of the young defender, marauded into the Barca box, and fired the ball home to beat Pinto and secure the title for his side. In fact, many Madrid fans claimed that it was the goal worth the hundred million paid for by the former Tottenham superstar.
Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid – (La Liga; April, 2016)
In a game week 31 encounter, 2 high-flying sides were scheduled to play each other. Camp Nou was all set to witness their 3rd consecutive victory over their rivals. Despite a goalless first half, things seemed pretty good for the Catalans as Gerard Pique broke the deadlock in the 56th minute. But their joy didn’t last long as Karim Benzema brought Real back into the game just 6 minutes later.
An as-usual Clasico send-off for Ramos in the 83rd minute of the game made things critical for the visitors. Just 7 minutes left on the clock and everyone thought that Zidane’s lads will be pleased to have a point. But Cristiano Ronaldo had some other ideas. He came out of nowhere and silenced the entire Camp Nou with an unbelievable 85th-minute strike. This magnificent goal didn’t only give his side the 3 points but also ended up as his best-ever Clasico moment.
Other Mention Worthy Best El Clasico Matches of the Century:
- Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid – (La Liga; November, 2010)
- Real Madrid 3-2 Barcelona – (Spanish Super Cup Semifinal; January 2022)
- Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona – (La Liga; May, 2009)
- Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona – (Copa del Rey Final; April, 2011)
- Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid – (La Liga; October, 2018)
- Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona (Champions League Semifinal; April 2011)
- Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona – (La Liga; November, 2015).