"Great rivalries don't have to be built on hatred. They're built on respect, on a respect for excellence" - Mike Krzyzewski
Real Madrid vs Barcelona, a rival that every soccer fan loves to see. Not only because of the emotions, but because of the intelligence and skill that is showcased in every Clasico.
5- October 2o2o La Liga Match: Real Madrid 3, Barcelona 1
Only happening a week ago, this one may be a little biased, yes. Right out of the gates, the game was full of excitement. In only the 5th minute, Madrid got ahead when Valverde beat the Barcelona back line to a perfectly played through ball by Big Benz. Barcelona was very angry, so they made a counter and only 3 minutes later tied the game 1-1 with a goal from Fati. Of course, tempers were rising and so was the amount of yellow cards given. Madrid’s Casemiro led the rally with a card in the 19th, Barca’s Lenglet in the 29th, and then Madrid’s Nacho in the 37th to end the first half action.
Another clasico that was tied at the half, meaning a fun second half. Who would score the goal to win the game? It was a tough break for Barcelona when Jordi Alba was shown a yellow card inside of the penalty box. The referee checked the film, and awarded Madrid with the penalty that would change the course of the whole game. Of course, Ramos converted the given penalty. The game was quiet from here until the end other than six substitutions between both sides.
The clock was running down, but the energy was not, especially with a bunch of fresh legs on the pitch. Finally, the silence had been broken when Rodrygo assisted Modric for a beautiful right-footed goal. The goal in the 90th minute put Real up 3-1 with only extra time left. In the extra time, Barcelona's Leo was booked. The card would conclude the action. Real Madrid walked off the pitch with their heads held high, beating Barcelona 3-1.
4- April 2016 La Liga Match: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
A game that was only good enough to make 4th, yet was still an action-packed clasico. The tempo of the first half of the game was set when Sergio Ramos was shown his first yellow card in the 10th minute of the game. The yellow card trend continued throughout the whole first half and ended up being the only real action in the first half. Madrid’s Carvajal was shown a yellow in the 18th. Then 10 minutes later, Barcelona’s Suarez and Mascherano were booked, making the yellow card count 2-2 for both sides at the half.
There was not much action at the beginning of the second half until a Barcelona goal in the 58th minute. The pressure was on for Madrid now, being down 1-0 with 30 minutes left of regulation. A few minutes later another card was shown to Barcelona. Then, Madrid’s Benzema had the equalizing goal in the 62nd minute, time for a comeback.
Barcelona had been dominating the game and it was looking very good for their side, but the last 10 minutes of the game did not exactly go in their favor. Ronaldo had gotten a yellow card, followed by a second card to Sergio Ramos, resulting in a Ramos red card in the 83rd minute. Feeding off from the excitement, Bale sent in a beautiful cross that Ronaldo was able to get on the end of putting Madrid ahead 2-1. The score stood through the final 5 minutes of the game.
3- March 2014 La Liga match: Barcelona 4, Real Madrid 3
A game that any player or fan of the La Liga should remember. Ronaldo and Messi, two of the best players in the entire world, going head to head, in a game that surely kept every person watching on their toes.
At the beginning of the game, Barcelona had a quick goal only seven minutes in. That didn’t stop the Madrid
side though, they quickly countered with two goals from Karim Benzema, taking the 2-1 lead. Right before the half had ended, Leo Messi converted and tied the game 2-2 at the half. After every goal from either side, the pain in the opposing teams face is fascinating. The defenses scrambling, yelling, falling to the ground, it was truly fascinating. It was no surprise that they went into the half even after being neck-in-neck in the standings. With only 3 yellow cards from both sides, they had no idea what was to come in the second half.
Only 10 minutes into the second half the official had wrongfully awarded Ronaldo a penalty. The trip that led to the call was right outside of the penalty area and Barca players were fuming. Of course, he had converted and Madrid took the 3-2 lead. That was only the beginning to the action-packed second half.
Not even 10 minutes later Captain Sergio Ramos was given a straight red card for tripping Neymar in the box. Messi converted the PK and Madrid’s center back was sent off, leaving them with only 10 men on the field. The crowd, the players, everyone’s emotions were sky high. Doomsday struck for Madrid with only 7 minutes left of regulation. A barely there trip was called on Alonso, giving Leo yet another penalty kick. Barcelona was now up 4-3 with 5 minutes of regulation left. This score stood through the final minutes of the game and Barcelona took the crown.
2- 2010/11 Champions League Semi-final: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 0
The announcement of Real Madrid and Barcelona playing against each other in the Champions League semi-final was exciting all on it's own and the game itself did not disappoint. There was not much action in the first half other than some flaring tempers until the last 10 minutes. Madrid’s Arbeloa was booked during the 40th minute for a risky challenge. Then only 7 minutes later, Jose Pinto earned a direct red card after being the primary factor in the brawl to end the first half.
It was clear going into the second half of the game that there were still some emotions flaring. There were 7 fouls in the first 10 minutes of the half, one of them being a yellow card on Real’s Sergio Ramos. The yellow card did not scare players from either side as the opposing sides were fighting aggressively to score the first goal of the match. Another yellow was handed to Mascherano during the 57th minute.It seemed at this point, the game was more of a boxing match than anything else. Pepe, known for his rage, was handed a direct red card during the 61st minute for a studs-up challenge. The Madrid side, as well as the entire crowd went absolutely crazy when Pepe was sent off, the best part? He never even touched Alves.
15 minutes later, Barcelona’s Messi shows that he has had enough of the ridiculous game play. He capitalizes on a shot in the 76th minute of the game, putting Barcelona up 1-0. After many more fouls and another Madrid player booked, Leo solidified the win for Barca by scoring yet again in the 87th minute. After 2 red cards, 3 yellow cards, and 46 total fouls, Barcelona was up 2-0 aggregate against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final.
1- November 2010 La Liga Match: Barcelona 5, Real Madrid 0
As a Real Madrid fan, this game stings a bit as did the game earlier in the season, but it is a game that was worth the watch. Real Madrid had a rough start, giving up a goal to Xavi in the 10th minutes and to Pedro in the 18th minute. The pair of goals sent the players on the Madrid side off the rails. Not even 15 minutes later, the
yellow card festival began. Barca’s Victor Valdez received the first card in the 32nd minute. Then, Ronaldo in the 33rd, Villa in the 34th, Pepe in the 36th, and finally Messi in the 45th right before the conclusion of the half. There were already 5 yellow cards, more than most games have in the full 90 minutes and both star players, Messi and Ronaldo, had been booked.
The second-half whistle was blown and the Spanish beasts were off to the races yet again. You thought the first half was bad? Ha, the second half was brutal. The Madridistas had been down 2-0 since the 18th minute and it was clear they had been sick of it. What made it worse? Coming out of the gates in the second half, Barca held possession and had three solid opportunities to extend their lead.
Again, tempers were flying and in the 51st minute Madrid’s Xabi Alonso took his national team mate down from behind, resulting in the first yellow of the second half. Not even 5 minutes later Barca extends their lead 3-0 when Villa capitalizes on a beautiful through ball from Messi. After the 7th card is handed to Madrid’s Casillas, Villa repeats making the score 4-0. The 4th goal leads to a Real Madrid temper tantrum, and yes, it does get much worse. Four Madrid players are booked within the next 20 minutes of play.
After all the Madrid foul fest, Barcelona also acquires another card. Regulation is finally over, but wait. There is still five minutes of extra time to be added. Barca’s Suarez scores the final goal of the game, making the final score 5-0. The game still isn’t over yet. Madrid’s Ramos gets called for a dangerous tackle against Messi which sparks a brawl. Ramos proceeds to stand up and hit Puyol in the face and then also gives Xabi a good push after being ejected from the game. To end the game, both players and coaching staff from both sides are going at it, making it the best clasico of all time.
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