Sunday Match Decides Lead in 124-Year Barcelona-Real Madrid Rivalry
Both clubs enter the fixture with exactly 106 wins apiece, making the result a historic shift in their all-time record.
By Alina Carter ·
Barcelona hosts Real Madrid on Sunday at Camp Nou, with the result set to break a 124-year head-to-head deadlock. The two clubs are currently tied with 106 wins each, meaning three points for either side will establish the first long-term lead in the rivalry's history. The fixture, known as El Clasico, continues to draw global attention and has featured many of football's most prominent players.
The rivalry dates back to 1902. Over the decades, the matches have showcased stars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr, Luis Suarez, David Beckham, and Zinedine Zidane. In recent seasons, focus has shifted to Lamine Yamal and Raphinha for Barcelona, and Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr for Real Madrid.
Recent history offers context for the current balance. On May 2, 2009, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 6-2 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Thierry Henry scored twice, while Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, and Gerard Pique also found the net. That victory helped Barcelona secure the league title by nine points that season.
Four years earlier, on April 10, 2005, Real Madrid won 4-2 at home. Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario, Raul, and Michael Owen all scored for the visitors. Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho were the only goalscorers for the hosts, though Barcelona still claimed the league title by three points.
In 2017, the dynamic shifted at the Bernabeu. On April 23, 2017, Barcelona won 3-2. Messi scored the final goal of the match, marking his 500th for the club. Sergio Ramos was sent off during the game, and James Rodriguez equalized for Real Madrid in the 85th minute before Messi's stoppage-time strike.
A memorable 3-3 draw occurred at Camp Nou on March 10, 2007. A 19-year-old Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick to rescue a point for a 10-man Barcelona side. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored twice for Real Madrid, while Sergio Ramos added a third. Both teams finished that league season on 76 points, with Real Madrid taking the title on head-to-head record.
The Copa del Rey final on April 20, 2011, ended in a 1-0 extra-time victory for Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo headed in a pass from Angel Di Maria to break the deadlock. Di Maria was later sent off, but the goal secured Real's first trophy under manager Jose Mourinho and their first domestic cup since 1993.
