Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona: Guardiola’s Barça at the Bernabéu, 2009
Real Madrid had won 17 of their previous 18 league games and could still catch Barcelona. Instead Pep Guardiola’s side went to the Bernabéu and scored six.
Official highlights from the FC Barcelona YouTube channel. Press play, then use the full-screen button in the bottom-right corner of the player. Watch on YouTube
Match facts
| Competition | La Liga |
|---|---|
| Date | 2 May 2009 |
| Venue | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
| Result | Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona |
The story of the match
Gonzalo Higuaín put Madrid ahead, but Thierry Henry, Carles Puyol and Lionel Messi had Barcelona 3-1 up by half-time. Messi was playing in a central role that later became known as the "false nine", and Madrid’s defenders had no idea who to mark.
Sergio Ramos pulled one back, but Henry, Messi and Gerard Piqué scored again. It was one of Real Madrid’s heaviest home defeats in El Clásico history.
Key moments to watch for
- Higuaín gives Madrid the lead
- Henry, Puyol and Messi score before half-time
- Messi in the false nine role
- Piqué completes the 6-2
Why it’s one of the greatest football matches ever
The win all but sealed the league title, and Barcelona went on to win the Copa del Rey and the Champions League to complete the first treble by a Spanish club. For many fans this was the moment Guardiola’s team announced itself as one of the best ever.
More classic football matches
- Real Madrid 3-1 Man City: Rodrygo’s Late Double, 2022 Champions League
- Ajax 2-3 Tottenham: Lucas Moura’s Hat-Trick, 2019 Champions League
- England 4-2 West Germany: The 1966 World Cup Final
See all 40 on our list of the greatest matches ever, or catch up on this season on the latest highlights page.
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