Glorious, magical, mesmerizing.... It was one of the greatest nights ever at Camp Nou as Pep Guardiola's Dream Team completely trounced their eternal rivals 5-0. Xavi, Pedro, Villa (2) and Jeffren scored the goals and made this a historic night for Barcelona.
Lionel Messi didn't score, but he set up both Villa's goal and had yet another fabulous performance, showing once again that he is the best player of this generation by a huge difference.
Barcelona started the match in full force and Messi hit the woodwork in the sixth minute with a brilliant piece of skill. Real Madrid could barely breathe and it was no surprise when Xavi, after a combination with Iniesta, brilliantly slotted the ball past Casillas to open the score. The Camp Nou went crazy but little did they know yet.
Seven minutes later, after a brilliant play down the left flank, Villa's cross found Pedro unmarked and the Barcelona youth product easily scored the second. The Camp Nou was in absolute ecstasy and the crowd were loving their team's mesmerizing tiki-taka football. Real Madrid could barely see the ball. Di Maria had an effort from long range but Valdés saved it.
At half-time, 2-0, a much deserved result for Barcelona. But Guardiola wasn't satisfied yet and ordered his player to intensify the pressure.
And they did; Barcelona showed their hunger from the very start of the second half. Villa and then Messi were brilliantly denied by Casillas. However, in 54th minute, Real Madrid's keeper couldn't really do anything; Messi set up Villa who made it 3-0. Three minutes later, more of the same; the ominous Messi showed once again his fabulous vision and playmaking skills and set up Villa for another easy goal.
Barcelona were playing great and the crowd were loving every second of it. Real Madrid's players showed little grace in the hour of defeat and adopted a very violent behaviour; in the first half Cristiano Ronaldo inexplicably pushed Guardiola and was allowed to continue on the field, while Carvalho elbowed Messi and it was the Argentine who saw the yellow card. After the 4-0, Real became even more violent and almost every player was booked.
Barcelona were not affected by this and kept creating chances with relative ease and playing fantastic football. In the dying minutes, Jeffren, who had come into the match for Pedro, scored the fifth and capped a magical evening for Barcelona and their supporters. Bojan made the assist, in a goal that showcased Barcelona's future to the Camp Nou faithful. Perfect football and an unforgettable result.
In the final minute, Sergio Ramos took Real Madrid's violent antics to a whole new level, an undescribable level really, and got deservedly sent off. It's actually a miracle that only Ramos got sent off. It's really a shame the way Real Madrid player acted in the hour of defeat.
Man of the Match? Impossible to name. Busquets? Xavi? Messi? Villa? Iniesta? Abidal?! The whole team was fantastic on the day and showed that they are still the team to beat, both in Spain and in Europe.
Barcelona supporters have every reason to feel invincible right now. But feeling invincible and actually being invincible are two quite different things. Despite the 5-0 blowout, Barcelona only hold a two points lead over the second-place team. Real Madrid has now become irrelevant and will only be relevant again in April. Right now, the focus must immediately shift to Osasuna. That match might not be as glamorous, but it's three points all the same, three points that Barcelona can't afford to lose.
Right now, it's time to celebrate, but not to become complacent. Today was only the beginning of a (hopefully) glorious season!
With today's win, Barcelona became the first team ever to win five Clásicos in a row. Another achievement for Pep Guardiola's Dream Team, on their way to becoming the best club team in history!