MX23RW : Monday, November 25 00:39:37| >> :120:6482:6482:

Top five Camp Nou matches

Sports Mole considers five of the best matches at the Camp Nou in recent history.

If you think of Barcelona, the Camp Nou is never too far from your mind. The club have recently reportedly announced plans to renovate their historical home.

With that in mind, Sports Mole remembers some of the best matches to take place there in recent memory.

1. Barcelona 3-2 Valencia, June 17, 2001

League seasons rarely end quite so thrillingly. Rather than challenging for the title, Barcelona needed to beat Valencia to go above them into fourth and qualify for the Champions League on the last day of the La Liga season in 2001. Valencia, conversely, just needed to draw.

Cue Rivaldo. The Brazilian was a big game player throughout his career and this was one of his best moments. His inspired hat-trick, including a wonderful bicycle kick from the edge of the box, inspired Barcelona into the Champions League.

2. Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid, 29 November, 2011

El Clasico is a derby so often full of quality. It is feisty on the pitch and in the stands, with the bragging rights so frequently exchanged. In November 2011 Barcelona stole the show with a quite magnificent display of attacking football while they were at the peak of their power.

On the clubs 111th anniversary, goals from Xavi, Pedro, a brace from David Villa and finally Jeffren blew Real out of the water in what was otherwise billed a close encounter.

3. Barcelona 3-3 Manchester United, November 25, 1998

In the late 1990s, the Champions League was anyone's game. There were a host of clubs who were expected to have a shot at it, and three of those - Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern - were drawn in Group D together. Both games against United were crackers, with the Camp Nou match perhaps shading it.

United were not particularly strong away from home in Europe by this point, but they came to Barca full of energy and optimism. Rivaldo again, believe it or not, was magnificent and scored twice - another an overhead kick. But the points were shared in a topsy-turvy game.


1998 (November 25) Barcelona (spain) 3... by sp1873

4. Barcelona 5-1 Chelsea, April 18, 2000

This match is a perfect example of two-legged European football at its finest. Chelsea were 3-1 up from their home leg with a foot in the Champions League semi-finals, but with an away goal there is always hope for the return fixture.

Sure enough, Barcelona levelled the score on aggregate by going 3-1 up on the night, but it was they who were stronger in extra time. A Rivaldo (again) penalty and Patrick Kluivert broke Chelsea hearts and send Barca through to the semis.

5. Barcelona 3-1 Arsenal, March 8, 2011

Knockout football can be such a harsh thing. In 2011 Barcelona again had to come from behind to a London side, this time Arsenal, but the margin here was even closer. Arsenal were 2-1 up from the opening leg and had pulled back on the night to level it at 1-1.

The turning point was arguably Robin van Persie's red card for kicking the ball away after being flagged offside, after which point they could not contain Barca who ran out 3-1 winners, 4-3 on aggregate to reach the last eight.

ID:104746: cacheID:104746:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5640:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barca's Adriano is congratulated by teammates after a goal against Malaga on August 25, 2013
Read Next:
Barcelona win Spanish Super Cup
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!