With Real Madrid and Barcelona on the verge of yet another eagerly anticipated El Clasico encounter, we take a look at some of the best Clasico matches of all time.
Franco's match: Real Madrid 11-1 Barcelona (1943)
In 1943, Real Madrid took on Barcelona in the Copa Del Generalissimo (now the Copa Del Rey) in the most one-sided match between the two teams ever played. Barcelona took a 3-0 advantage into the match, after winning the first leg. However, they were paid a visit by one of General Franco's ministers before the game, where he reminded them how "displeased" Franco would be if Real Madrid's honour was not upheld during the game…
Check this article to read about Real's best El Clasico players of all time
Raul silences the Cap Nou: Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (1999)
Real Madrid's highest goal scorer of all time scored two goals in the closely fought El Clasico on 13 October 1999 and his 86th minute equalizer to earn Real Madrid a point in the match was one of the most remembered El Clasico moments of all time. After putting the ball in the net, he brought his finger to his lips in his famous silencio gesture that has been replayed over and over again in Real Madrid montages over the years.
The Bernabeau gives Ronaldinho a standing ovation: Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona (2005)
In an incredible Barcelona performance, Ronaldinho netted a brace against Real Madrid's Galaticos in the Bernabeau in 2005. His performance on the night was so breath-taking that even Real Madrid fans were on their feet to applaud the Brazilian midfielder after the final whistle had been blown.
Real Madrid pass through Barcelona's guard of honour: Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona (2008)
In May 2008, Real Madrid had already sealed the La Liga title under Bernd Schuster, while Barcelona limped to third position in the league. Before the match began, Barcelona gave Real Madrid a guard of honour, applauding the champions onto the pitch. Raul, Arjen Robben, Gonzalo Higuain and Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored in the 4-1 thrashing and caused Frank Rijkaard's departure from the club at the end of the season, to make way for Pep Guardiola.
Madrid humiliated at the Bernabeau: Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona (2009)
A year after Real Madrid dominated Barcelona, Pep Guardiola's treble-winning team handed Real Madrid their worst home defeat of all time, after Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry both scored braces to ensure that Real Madrid were prepared for a long-running string of defeats against the best team of the 21st century.
Manita: Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid (2010)
In Jose Mourinho's first El Clasico, he was handed the heaviest defeat of his career in the match that came to be known as "the little hand" or Manita when Barcelona put five past a Madrid team that had no answer to their sublime brand of football. After the match, Gerard Pique and Victor Valdes raised their hands with five fingers spread out to show off the number of goals that they had scored.
The next El Clasico promises to be yet another memorable match, and will get underway at 18:00 this evening.
Check into our Match Centre to follow all of the action LIVE.
Do you think the next El Clasico will be the most memorable one yet? Have your say in the comments section below.
