El Clásico 5-0 at Bernabéu (2010)

Lore & Background

The match featured 13 of the 23 winning players on Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup squad and the two managers Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho. Barcelona's victory showcased their tiki-taka and Total Football philosophy, with Messi, Xavi and Iniesta starring. Guardiola called it 'a spectacle' and said 'how we did it – that makes us proud.' After the win, Barcelona took first place in La Liga, two points ahead of Madrid with 25 rounds left.

In Their Own Story

Inside the tunnel, the silence was heavy before the whistle blew. The Bernabéu lights hummed overhead as players stepped onto the hallowed turf. For the visiting team, this was not just another game; it was a mission to prove superiority on the biggest stage of all. As the first goal went in, the roar from the away section drowned out the home crowd.

Reader's Guide

The match is remembered as a dominant display of Barcelona's footballing philosophy. Guardiola noted that the result was not representative of the difference between the teams, saying 'they are a very good team, they came here unbeaten and as league leaders. Today all of our players played well and that was the difference.'

Did You Know?

• The match was scheduled on a Monday due to elections to the Parliament of Catalonia held the day before.
• Barcelona's 5–0 win is not the club's largest victory margin against Real Madrid in La Liga history; larger margins include 6–0 in 1940 and 5–0 in 1974 at the Bernabéu.