May is a historic month for FC Barcelona. As we recently mentioned on FCBN, the first day of this month is a very heartfelt date for Barcelona fans: every May 1st, since 2005, we commemorate the anniversary of Lionel Messi's first official goal as a 'culé'. But May 2nd is not far behind: it also represents an unforgettable milestone for the 'Azulgrana' team.
May 2, 2009: the unforgettable 2-6 at the Bernabéu against Real Madrid
This May 2nd marks 16 years since one of the most devastating results in the history of 'clásicos' between Barcelona and Real Madrid. In a match valid for matchday 34 of LaLiga 2008/09, the Catalan team thrashed the 'merengues' 2-6 at the Santiago Bernabéu itself. This is the biggest victory of the 'Azulgrana' team against 'los blancos' so far this century.
It is worth remembering that in the 74 'clásicos' played this century, only in that one, Barça has scored six goals against the team from Chamartín. Likewise, that result was as shocking as it was symbolic, marking a before and after in the Guardiola era.
A bumpy start and a quick 'Azulgrana' reaction
The match did not start well for the 'culés'. Gonzalo Higuaín, with a header in the 14th minute, put Real Madrid ahead. However, the reaction of the team led by Pep Guardiola was immediate: in the 18th minute, Thierry Henry equalized the match with a great finish.
That goal was the beginning of an absolute exhibition of 'Azulgrana' football. Just two minutes later, in the 20th minute, Carles Puyol made it 1-2 with a powerful header. And in the 35th minute, Lionel Messi increased the lead to 1-3 after a brilliant assist from Xavi Hernández. This is how the half-time came, with a score that already reflected the dominance of the Barcelona club.
In the second half, Sergio Ramos narrowed the gap in the 56th minute with another header. But once again, Barcelona reacted forcefully: in the 58th minute, 'Titi' Henry signed his brace with the 2-4.
The festival continued in the 75th minute, when Messi scored his second goal of the night, after another assist from Xavi, who completed a stellar performance with four goal passes. Gerard Piqué, in the 82nd minute, sealed the historic 2-6, scoring his first goal as a player for the 'culé' first team.
A decisive victory for a treble-winning Barça
That thrashing was not only historic because of the score, but also because of its impact on the season. Barcelona arrived at that 'clásico' with a four-point advantage over Madrid, and with that victory they practically sealed the league championship.
Four days later, the team visited Stamford Bridge and, with the unforgettable 'Iniestazo', sealed their pass to the final of the UEFA Champions League 2008-09. The team from the 'Ciudad Condal' would end up conquering the first treble in its rich history: LaLiga, Copa del Rey (against Athletic Club 1-4 in Mestalla) and in the Champions League (against Manchester United 2-0 in Rome), a course that, by the way, gave rise to the mythical 'sextete' 'culé'. Will Barcelona repeat the feat in this 2024-25 season?