Five Memorable El Clasico Matches Between Barcelona and Real Madrid

One of football's oldest rivalries returns to the spotlight this weekend, when Barcelona host Real Madrid on Sunday. Known as El Clasico, Spanish for "The Classic," the fixture has long attracted millions of viewers around the world and has featured many of the game's finest players.

Past editions showcased Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with names such as Neymar Jr, Luis Suarez, David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane. More recently, attention has turned to Lamine Yamal and Raphinha at Barcelona, and to Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr at Real.

The rivalry dates back to 1902, and winning brings bragging rights that reach well beyond the pitch. The two clubs are level with 106 wins each, so three points on Sunday could give one side the edge. Ahead of the meeting, here are five standout clashes from the past.

The first is a 3-2 Barcelona win at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 23, 2017, in La Liga. Casemiro put Real ahead in the first half, and Messi equalised within five minutes. Ivan Rakitic fired Barca in front after the break, and Real captain Sergio Ramos was then sent off for a two-footed lunge on Messi. James Rodriguez levelled in the 85th minute, but Messi struck with the final kick of the game for his 500th Barca goal. Barcelona briefly went top, though Real still won the title by three points.

Another is the 3-3 draw at Camp Nou on March 10, 2007. A 19-year-old Messi scored the first hat-trick of his career, rescuing a point for a Barcelona side reduced to 10 men. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored twice for Real and Ramos added a third, but Messi equalised in the first minute of stoppage time. Both clubs finished the season on 76 points, with Real taking the title on head-to-head record.

Real won 4-2 at home on April 10, 2005, in a match that showcased their Galacticos, the expensive stars signed under president Florentino Perez. Zidane scored early, Ronaldo Nazario doubled the lead and Raul added a third, before Michael Owen netted the winner in the 65th minute. Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho scored for Barca, who nonetheless went on to claim the league by three points.

On May 2, 2009, Barcelona crushed Real 6-2 at the Bernabeu. Gonzalo Higuain gave the hosts a 14th-minute lead, but Thierry Henry equalised within four minutes and later added a second. Messi, Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique also scored, while a second-half goal from Ramos mattered little. Barca won the league that season by nine points.

The final entry is the Copa del Rey final on April 20, 2011, which Real won 1-0 in extra time after a goalless 90 minutes. Many expected a penalty shootout, but Ronaldo headed in a pass from Angel Di Maria. Di Maria was later sent off for a second yellow card, yet it did not cost Real. The goal secured their first trophy under then-manager Jose Mourinho and their first domestic cup since 1993.