The Decade-by-Decade History of El Clásico
1920s: The First Ever LaLiga El Clásico
The inaugural LaLiga El Clásico took place in February 1929, just weeks into the first LaLiga season. FC Barcelona’s Les Corts stadium was filled with hopeful Culés, but they left disappointed as Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory. Barça won the reverse fixture 1-0, claiming the first LaLiga title, but the first Clásico win belonged to the capital.
1930s: Real Madrid’s Historic Victory
The 1934/35 season featured remarkable El Clásico matches, including Barça’s stunning 5-0 win at Les Corts, followed by Real Madrid’s record-breaking 8-2 victory at Chamartín. The home side raced to a 5-1 lead in just 30 minutes, prompting Barça’s coach to request a change of ball at halftime, yet the outcome remained unchanged.
1940s: Birth of the Modern Rivalry
The intense rivalry we recognize today began to take shape in the 1940s, highlighted by a memorable 5-5 draw at Les Corts in 1943, the highest scoring draw between the two teams.
1950s: The First Televised El Clásico
On February 15, 1959, El Clásico became the first football match ever televised in Spain. Real Madrid, featuring legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano and Ferenc Puskás, won 1-0, but this did not stop Barça from claiming their first LaLiga title in seven years.
1960s: Di Stéfano’s Dominance
Alfredo Di Stéfano became Real Madrid’s all-time leading scorer in El Clásico matches, tormenting Barça with 14 goals in 20 matches, including a memorable double in a 5-3 victory at Camp Nou in December 1960.
1970s: Johan Cruyff Changes the Game
The arrival of Johan Cruyff in 1974 shifted the balance in favor of Barça. His stunning performance in a 5-0 win at the Bernabéu during the same year remains a highlight, helping Barcelona reclaim the LaLiga title and influencing the club’s philosophy.
1980s: Real Madrid’s Quintessential Generation
Real Madrid’s “Quinta del Buitre” generation dominated the rivalry, winning five consecutive LaLiga titles from 1986 to 1990. A 3-1 victory over Barça in March 1986 marked the beginning of this period of unmatched success.
1990s: Iconic ‘Manitas’
Johan Cruyff’s return as coach ushered in the “Dream Team,” winning four consecutive LaLiga titles. The decade is remembered for two iconic 5-0 victories: one for Barça in 1994 and a revenge win for Real Madrid the following year.
2000s: Ronaldinho’s Stunning Performance
The November 2005 El Clásico at the Bernabéu marked a turning point, with Ronaldinho delivering a stunning performance. His two goals led Barça to a 3-0 victory, earning him applause from the rival fans.
2010s: Messi’s Mastery
Lionel Messi, El Clásico’s all-time top scorer, left an indelible mark on the rivalry. His injury-time winner in a 3-2 victory at the Bernabéu in 2017, celebrated by holding up his shirt to the fans, is a moment etched in history.
2020s: Real Madrid’s Current Edge
In the current decade, Real Madrid has the upper hand in El Clásico encounters, winning five out of seven matches in LaLiga EA Sports, including memorable victories like Barça’s 4-0 away win in March 2022 and Jude Bellingham’s last-minute winners in the 2023/24 season.
