El Clásico: Five of the best Bernabéu battles

El Clásico is the biggest club soccer match in the world. It is lived by hundreds of millions of fans all over the world, each and every one of them desperate for their side, be it Real Madrid CF or FC Barcelona, get one over their fiercest rivals. Whether their idol is Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar or Gareth Bale, this is a game that produces emotions quite like no other.

In the build up to Saturday's encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu, LFP.es counts down five of the best games played out between the two sides at Real Madrid's ground since the turn of 21st century:

Real Madrid 4-1 Barcelona, 7 May 2008

Barcelona had endured a tumultuous season and had to face the ignominy when they arrived in the Spanish capital for the final Clásico of the season, giving the newly crowned champions a guard of honour before kick-off. However, Frank Rijkaard’s side’s humiliation was only compounded once the game got going.

Raúl pounced on a moment of defensive indecision to open the scoring, while goals from Arjen Robben and Gonzalo Higuaín plus a Ruud van Nistelrooy penalty piled further misery on Barça, although Thierry Henry managed a late consolation goal.

Real Madrid 0–3 Barcelona, 19 November 2005

In one of the most outstanding individual performances in Liga BBVA history, Ronaldinho was afforded a standing ovation by the Bernabéu faithful after scoring his second, and his side’s third, in a match that the Catalans dominated from start to finish.

Samuel Eto'o put the visitors ahead after quarter of an hour, while the Brazilian magician put the icing on the cake in the second half to secure Barcelona’s most emphatic win at their rival’s ground since a John Cruyff-inspired display saw them come away 5-0 victory in 1974. It was a display of dominance many thought the Catalan’s would struggle to repeat, but four years later history was re-written.

Real Madrid 2-6 Barcelona, 2 May 2009

Madrid had pegged their rivals back in the title race to set up a showdown in the capital and a home win would have cut the gap down to a single point. Gonzalo Higuaín got things got off to a flying start for the hosts by heading in the opening goal with 14 minutes played, but Thierry Henry quickly replied for Barça and then a header from captain Carles Puyol put the Catalans in front.

Once ahead, Pep Guardiola's side never looked back, delivering a footballing exhibition in their rivals' back yard to all but seal the Liga BBVA title. Messi got in on the scoring act, then Sergio Ramos’s header gave Madrid brief hope but Barça responded with further goals, Henry and Messi striking again before Gerard Piqué's classy finish competed the rout.

Real Madrid 4–2 Barcelona, 10 April 2005

With Barcelona threatening to run away with the league title, David Beckham helped inspire Real Madrid to an emphatic victory over the visiting Blaugrana and breathe life into the Liga BBVA title race. Zinedine Zidane bravely put the home side ahead with a near-post header after seven minutes, and after 20 the hosts had doubled their advantage after Brazilian striker Ronaldo nodded home a Beckham free kick.

Eto'o halved the deficit on the half hour, but a Raúl effort on the stroke of half time stopped the Catalan momentum in its tracks.  Beckham then fed Michael Owen to make it 4-1 before Ronaldinho pulled one back with twenty minutes to play.

Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona, 23 March 2014

Without a doubt, this seven-goal thriller was one of the most exciting games ever to take place between the two old foes. Barcelona went into the game four points behind their rivals and in danger of being thrown out of the title race, but took the lead through Andrés Iniesta's scorching drive.

Real hit back with two goals from Karim Benzema, both assisted by Ángel di María, but the visitors levelled before the break through Lionel Messi. A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty early in the second half put Madrid back in charge, but Barça were later awarded two spot-kicks, both coolly converted by Messi, to give Tata Martino’s side the points.