El Clasico is the meeting of two of Spain’s greatest clubs- Real Madrid and Barcelona and Barcelona vs Real Madrid is probably the most revered football match on the planet. One of the reasons for the game receiving so much media attention is that the result of the El Clasico often goes on to have a say in the winner of the La Liga as such is the dominance of the two clubs in Spain. Since some of the best players of the world often end up signing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona, the neutrals get to see these stars battling it out against each on the pitch. However, the upcoming El Clasico 2018 football game will see no Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo but fans are still excited for the big game. El Clasico 2018, Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Los Blancos Coach Julen Lopetegui Confident Marcelo Will Be Fit for the Big Game.

There is animosity amongst the two sets of fans who want their club to win no matter how. The high octane clash sees a lot of passion in the players and everyone right from the players to the referee is under pressure. We have seen tempers flare up in the past and things have also gone ugly. These are part and parcel of El Clasico which always has drama as its central characteristic. Let us look at the result of the last five El Clasico games.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid ( 2nd April 2016 )

An excellent game for Cristiano Ronaldo fans who saw their superstar score a late goal to secure a thrilling 1-2 win over their arch-rivals despite being reduced to 10-man. The win also ended Barcelona’s 39-game unbeaten streak. Gerard Pique had given the Catalonians the lead, but Karim Benzema scored from close range to level the two sides. Ronaldo scored the winner shortly to silence the Nou Camp. Things looked grim for the Los Blancos after the sending off of Sergio Ramos, but they did well to turn the result on its head. Barcelona 1 – 2 Real Madrid.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid ( 3 December 2016 )

The first meeting of the two in the 2016/17 season ended in dramatic fashion when Sergio Ramos leapt to head home a 90th-minute equaliser for his side. Luis Suarez had given Barcelona the lead when he latched on to a Neymar free kick in the 53rd minute. The first half was played out cautiously by the two teams but the game opened up after the break. Barcelona should have put the game to bed with so many chances created but were wasteful and ultimately punished. Barcelona 1 – 1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid vs Barcelona ( 23 April 2017 )

The high scoring match between the two giants was settled by a side-foot finish by Lionel Messi in the 92nd minute to send the Barcelona fan into ecstasy. The win delayed Madrid’s march to the crown after James Rodriguez goal seemed to have won the crown. Messi and Ivan Rakitic goals gave Barcelona the lead after Casimiro opened the scoring for the home side. The winner by Messi was his 500th goal for Barcelona and what a stage to claim the prize. Real Madrid 2 – 3 Barcelona.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid ( 23rd December 2017 )

Barcelona decimated their arch-rivals at Santiago Bernabeu with goals from Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Alexis Vidal. The win also handed over the initiative to Barcelona in the league who could have had more from the game. Madrid created very little, and the likes of Ronaldo and Bale were kept quiet by the Catalonian defence. The game will also be remembered for Dani Carvajal’s sending off who handled the ball on the line and gave away a penalty which Messi dispatched with ease. The win moved Barcelona nine points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top. Real Madrid 0 – 3 Barcelona.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid ( 6th May 2018 )

Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane’s last El Clasico ended in a 2-2 draw with Gareth Bale grabbing the spotlight with a sublime finish. Ronaldo scored to cancel out Luis Suarez’s opener in the first half as the two sides went into the break with a goal apiece. Lionel Messi then scored to give the home side the lead, but Gareth Bale had other ideas. The Welshman curled the ball around Marc Andre ter Stegen with a first time shot after Marco Asensio had laid the ball in his path. The result kept Barcelona’s record 35 matches unbeaten run in La Liga which was eventually broken though. Barcelona 2 – 2 Real Madrid.

As we wait for the first El Clasico of this season, we just hope it matches the entertainment of some of the games mentioned above. We also see quite a few players being sent off in the clash which has become a pattern of sorts. The Referee will need to control the players on the pitch and stamp his authority as any dismissal takes the competitiveness out of the game.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2018 01:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).