Atletico Madrid and Barcelona meet in the Champions League tonight, in a massive Spanish showdown in Europe.
Atleti lead 2-0 from the first leg and are in pole position to reach the semi-finals. Ahead of their quarter-final return, we’ve remembered five of the best all-Spanish Champions League clashes.
Five of the best all-Spanish Champions League games
Real Madrid 3-0 Valencia – 2000 Champions League final
The first-ever all-Spanish Champions League final and the first between two teams from the same nation.
Valencia ended the La Liga season above Real Madrid in the table, with the latter struggling in fifth. In a repeat of the club’s 1998 triumph, when Real Madrid overcame domestic disappointment to succeed in Europe, the capital club ruthlessly took apart Valencia in Paris.
Fernando Morientes opened the scoring for Real Madrid six minutes before half-time, before a spectacular Steve McManaman scissor-kick doubled their lead. Raul raced away to score the third on the counter, as Real were crowned champions of Europe for the eighth time.
⚽️ Morientes, McManaman, Raúl González…
🏆 Real Madrid beat Valencia in an all-Spanish #UCLfinal, 19 years ago today… #FlashbackFriday | @realmadrid https://t.co/s7kAZffBKn pic.twitter.com/ykR7apsE6Q
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 24, 2019
For Valencia, who had overcome Barcelona in an all-Spanish semi-final, it was the first of double heartbreak. Los Che returned to the final in 2001 but lost to Bayern Munich on penalties.
Real Madrid 0-2 Barcelona – 2011 Champions League semi-final
An El Clásico contest in Europe was settled by Lionel Messi’s magic as the Argentine’s double gave Barcelona a big win at the Bernabeu.
After Real Madrid had been reduced to 10 men following Pepe’s red card, Barcelona took advantage with Messi as the catalyst. The forward turned in Ibrahim Affelay’s cross to open the scoring, before a sensational solo second sealed the win. Messi glided past a succession of white shirts before turning home to put Barcelona in control of the semi-final.
The Catalans completed the job in the return, on route to Champions League success.
Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid – 2014 Champions League final
Madrid came to a standstill as Real and Atletico contested the first-ever same-city Champions League final in 2014.
It was an agonising night for Atletico, who were within seconds of winning the Champions League for the first time.
Diego Godin’s goal handed the Rojiblancos the lead, and Diego Simeone’s side stood strong until stoppage time. In the dying seconds, Sergio Ramos headed home an equaliser to force extra-time, and a rejuvenated Real ran riot in the added period as Atletico were shellshocked.
Goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo completed an extra-time rout.
Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid won 5-3 on penalties – 2016 Champions League final
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid met again in the decider just two seasons later. On another unforgettable night, it was heartbreak for Atletico.
A tense final saw Sergio Ramos open the scoring inside 15 minutes, with the centre-back again rising to the occasion in an all-Madrid final. Atletico were handed a chance to get back into the game after Pepe brought down Fernando Torres in first-half stoppage time. Antoine Griezmann stepped up but blasted his penalty against the crossbar.
Diego Simeone’s side refused to give up and found an equaliser 11 minutes from time. Yannick Carrasco converted from close range as the substitute scored to force extra time. Unable to be separated in the additional period, the final went to penalties.
Juanfran missed the decisive kick for Atletico, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to score the winner. Atletico’s wait for a maiden European title extended.
Real Madrid 3-0 Atletico Madrid – 2017 Champions League semi-final
Atletico Madrid met their neighbouring nemesis again in 2017, and again fell victim to Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo decided the game and tie, with a stunning first-leg performance as the Portuguese superstar helped himself to a hat-trick at the Bernabeu. Having scored a treble in the quarter-final win over Bayern Munich, Ronaldo was ruthless again to put Atleti to the sword.
Ronaldo headed home Casemiro’s cross for the opener, and smashed a second past Jan Oblak to double the lead. A simple third made it three on the night, with Atletico unable to recover in the return fixture.
Read – Iconic Performances: Ronaldo treble kills Atletico’s Champions League dreams
See more – Five players who played for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona
