El Clásico: Barça vs Madrid 11-1, The Greatest Rivalry in Football History
The Match that Shook the World
On December 13, 1943, a match was played that would go down in history as one of the most iconic and thrilling encounters between two of the greatest football clubs in the world: FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. The match, which ended 11-1 in favor of Barça, is still talked about today, and its significance goes beyond the scoreline.
The Rivalry
El Clásico, as the rivalry between Barça and Madrid is known, is a clash of titans, a meeting of two giants that transcends the beautiful game. The two clubs have a long and storied history, with each one representing a different region of Spain and a different ideology.
Barça, founded in 1899, is seen as the representative of Catalan identity and independence, while Madrid, founded in 1902, is associated with Spanish nationalism. This historical and cultural context adds an extra layer of tension and excitement to their matches, making El Clásico one of the most watched and anticipated events in the football calendar.
The 11-1 Thrashing
The 11-1 match was played in the Copa del Generalísimo, the predecessor to the current Copa del Rey, at Les Corts, Barça's home stadium at the time. The match was a semi-final encounter, and Madrid was the reigning champion.
Madrid was confident, having won the previous season's league title, but Barça was determined to prove a point. The match started with both teams creating chances, but it was Barça that took the lead with a goal from striker Jose Escola in the 10th minute.
The floodgates opened, and Barça scored goal after goal, with Escola adding three more to his tally. The halftime score was 7-0, and Madrid was shell-shocked.
In the second half, Barça continued to dominate, scoring four more goals. Madrid managed to pull one back, but it was too little, too late. The final score was 11-1, a thrashing that would be remembered for generations to come.
Aftermath and Legacy
The 11-1 match was more than just a victory for Barça; it was a statement of intent. It showed that the club was a force to be reckoned with, and that it would not be intimidated by its opponents.
The match also marked a turning point in the rivalry between Barça and Madrid. From that day on, the two clubs would engage in a series of epic battles, with each one trying to outdo the other.
Today, El Clásico is watched by millions of fans around the world, and the 11-1 match is remembered as one of the greatest encounters between the two clubs.
The Scoreline:
FC Barcelona (11) - Real Madrid (1)
Goalscorers:
- Jose Escola (4 goals)
- César Rodríguez (2 goals)
- Manuel Va (2 goals)
- Jose Bravo (2 goals)
- Mariano Martín (1 goal)
Date: December 13, 1943
Stadium: Les Corts
Attendance: 55,000
Referee: Pedro Escartín
