Real Madrid v Barcelona: the European Clásicos

Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona
Barcelona 1-3 Real Madrid
1959/60 European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals

Barcelona had beaten Madrid by four points in the race for the 1958/59 Spanish title to earn a first taste of European Cup football – though to complicate matters, they were simultaneously competing in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the non-UEFA affiliated precursor to the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League. Having qualified as holders, Madrid shredded their arch-rivals in the semis, Ferenc Puskás scoring twice in each tie en route to hitting four in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt. Within weeks, Barcelona had some consolation, claiming a 4-1 aggregate win against Birmingham City in the Fairs Cup final.

Real Madrid 2-2 Barcelona
Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid
1960/61 European Champion Clubs' Cup first round

Evaristo de Macedo, later to join Madrid, made it 2-0 in the return leg at Camp Nou as Madrid were eliminated from the European Cup for the first time – though there was a bit of luck involved. Ferran Olivella, who set up the decisive goal, said: "I wasn't crossing the ball. Not to Evaristo, nor to anyone. I was shooting." It was a great assist regardless, Evaristo remembering: "It was a goal that could never be scored again. The way the ball came to me, how it dropped and the header is something very difficult to repeat."

Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid 1-1 Barcelona
2001/02 UEFA Champions League semi-finals

Strikes from Zinédine Zidane and Steve McManaman at Camp Nou heralded Vicente del Bosque's side's advance to the 2001/02 final, where a rather more famous Zidane goal put an end to Bayer Leverkusen. It was Madrid's first success at Camp Nou in 19 seasons. "It was extra special because I scored and it was a great victory given Madrid had not won there for so long," the Frenchman said. Carles Rexach's team battled bravely in the return leg, but the die was cast.

Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona
Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid
2010/11 UEFA Champions League semi-finals

Lionel Messi's brace at the Santiago Bernabéu – the second a superb solo effort – holed Madrid below the waterline following Pepe's dismissal. "Just another demonstration by Leo that he wears the crown and it's going to be very difficult for anyone to take it off him," said team-mate Javier Macherano. "He's on his way to proving he is the best of all time." José Mourinho's men restored some pride after going behind in the second leg, yet Barcelona were destined for a 3-1 final victory over Manchester United at Wembley.