A few El Clásico games have been decided by English players in the matches’
history, especially during modern times.
El Classico 2025 is set to be held this weekend on Sunday, October 26. This
would be the first time ever when two sides have English players in the same
season. Both teams have a long history with Englishmen, but they belong to
different eras and seasons.
In the past, prior to World War II, Barcelona had 10 Englishmen in the
squad, with Jack Greenwell as one of the most notable ones, whereas their
archrival in the capital only had one name. However, things went the opposite
in the modern era. Los Blancos went ahead and became more English-friendly with
seven players since the 1980s, while their Catalan counterparts have only had
two names ever since.
The Englishmen in Madrid were even top names in the era, especially in the
2000s when the superstars David Beckham and Michael Owen joined the Los
Galacticos after Laurie Cunningham in the 1980s and Steve McManaman previously
in the early millennium. They even also had Jonathan Woodgate on the bench too.
Currently, they have Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Blaugrana, on the other hand, only had Gary Lineker in the late 1980s
and currently, Marcus Rashford. The former Aston Villa and Manchester United
man just signed for the Catalan giant on loan this season.
So, will an Englishman be the protagonist again in this year’s El Clásico or
this season? It certainly is possible and has happened before. Here are the top
three games from the most anticipated match in football history.
El Classico in 1986/87 La Liga – Camp Nou
This was the first time an Englishman became the star in El Classico.
Barcelona key man and new signing, Gary Lineker, netted a hat-trick in his
first one. It was the first edition of the season. Terry Venables’ men managed
to beat Los Blancos 3-2 at their home turf, and their first Englishman since
the World War was able to make a difference already.
Lineker bagged the first two goals before the intervals by striking in front
of the goals within three minutes only! The former Everton man notched up in
second and five minutes before completing his hat-trick in the 47th minute.
Real Madrid began to intensify their attempts afterwards and managed to
respond well with two goals from each of their forwards. Jorge Valdano netted a
lifeline first in the 61st minute before Hugo Sanchez scored in the 80th
minute. Unfortunately, Leo Beenhakker’s men were unable to find the equaliser.
A 3-2 win for Blaugrana.
Lineker also bagged another one in the championship playoff round. It wasthe only season in Spanish top flight history, in which La Liga adopted the popular format in Belgian, Scotland and Austrian top league these days.
Unfortunately, Barcelona failed to topple Madrid in the end, as they
finished second in that round. Lineker did have a stellar season, though, by
notching up 21 goals in all competitions.
El Classico in 2004/05 La Liga – Santiago Bernabeu
This was the clash of galácticos from both sides. Yet, it was Madrid who won
this time with not just one but two Englishmen in the line-up, David Beckham
and Michael Owen. The former was the main protagonist, as he set up two goals,
while the latter netted one goal in the process.
The game itself was tight, but Los Blancos really took their home advantage.
They already had their lead in the first half, as Zinedine Zidane opened the
scoring in the seventh minute, followed by Ronaldo’s header taking advantage of
Beckham’s crossing in the 20th minute. Samuel Eto’o bagged a lifeline eight
minutes later, but Raul Gonzales put them back at a two-goal advantage just
before the interval.
In the second half, the former Liverpool man, Michael Owen, even extended
their lead in the 65th minute following Beckham’s loop pass to the penalty
area. He made a solo run before finding the back of the net. Barcelona
eventually only managed to score a consolation goal from Ronaldinho’s curling
free kick.
Despite their loss in front of the 75,000 people in the capital, Frank
Rijkaard’s men were the ones who smiled last as they finally clinched their La
Liga title after a six-year drought. Madrid’s Galacticos were on the decline
already, and their boss, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, was eventually dismissed as they
went trophyless in that season.
El Classico in 2023/24 La Liga – Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys
The last time an Englishman stole a spotlight in this game was not so long
ago. Two seasons ago, Jude Bellingham had a stellar season and went on to be
the key figure in the squad as Carlo Ancelotti’s men enjoyed a trophy-laden
season by winning the double, La Liga and the Champions League, plus the
Spanish Super Cup.
Bellingham was also the one who made the difference in not just one but two
El Classicos. The first one was in Estadio Lluís Companys, as Camp Nou has been
under construction. The Catalan side was in control of the game at first and
took the lead through Ilkay Gundogan’s goal in the sixth minute.
Madrid was knocking on the door afterwards but could not find the equaliser
until Bellingham’s long-range shot in the 68th minute. The former Dortmund man
finally scored the winning goal ahead of the final whistle and cancelled out
Xavi’s men’s dream to end their domination that season.
In the reverse fixture, the midfielder who was deployed as the number 10 at
that time once again registered a late winning goal in Bernabeu. The clash was
more even as both sides traded goals, and the score line showed 2-2 before
Bellingham ran on the left flank and entered the six-yard box with a bang to
the far back corner of the goal. It was Bellingham’s own season, as he notched
up 23 goals and provided 14 assists before Kylian Mbappe arrived in the summer.
He is currently deployed in a deeper position in the midfield and is no longer
the prolific goalscorer.
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