5 times Barcelona destroyed Real Madrid in El Clasico
There was a time when Barcelona feared heading to the Santiago Bernabeu to play their fiercest rivals, Real Madrid.
From November 1, 1997 until April 25, 2004, the Blaugrana didn’t pick up a La Liga win in the Spanish capital, but since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2008/09, the Catalans have emerged victorious on six occasions.
Though it appears likely that Real will go on to win the title in the 2016/17 season, the balance of power in the Spanish top flight has very definitely shifted to Barca, and it’s not unfair to suggest that Los Blancos are developing something of a complex at home when it comes to facing their eternal rivals.
Also read: Barcelona vs Real Madrid: 5 most controversial moments in El Clasico history
Lionel Messi’s last-kick-of-the-match winner could still end up being decisive, and is just one of many super moments in this classic fixture.
Let’s take a look at five times Barcelona have destroyed Real Madrid in El Clasicos...
#1 Real Madrid 0-3 Barcelona – La Liga, November 19th, 2005
No one will ever forget the Clasico played on November 19, 2005. It saw quite possibly the best ever performance from a visiting player and one that even Real supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu rose to applaud.
Ronaldinho was in his pomp at the time and his skill set was never better evidenced than in this game.
Barcelona had taken the lead on 14 minutes through a stabbed finish from Samuel Eto’o and for much of the next 40 minutes or so, the game ebbed and flowed nicely. And then the Brazilian went to work.
Just before the hour mark, he received a pass inside Real’s half. As Sergio Ramos came to meet him, a swivel of the hips left the Spaniard on the floor before he bore down on Ivan Helguera. No contest. The defender was turned inside out before Ronaldinho dispatched his shot past a stranded Iker Casillas.
With 13 minutes left, he did it again from a not too dissimilar position, taking Ramos on down the outside and slotting past the advancing Casillas. Cue a standing ovation and blanket applause...from the home fans. Magnificent.