Hours before another high-stakes clash between the Catalans and the capital club, a look back at the short, but rich, history of the Women’s Classic.
Real Madrid stepped into women’s football during the 2020-2021 season, continuing a project that began the year before under the name Club Deportivo Tacón. Since then, the matches against Barcelona have consistently been among the most consequential encounters in world football, drawing attention from fans far beyond the two cities.
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What the history of the Women’s Classic reveals: Barcelona dominance, Madrid resilience, and memorable draws
In the overarching record between the two clubs, a notable chapter is Madrid’s adoption of Tacón in 2020, marking the start of their current era with the team fully equipped in the club’s kit. From the moment Tacón joined Madrid to the present, Barcelona has often held the upper hand in their head-to-head meetings. The rivalry has produced dramatic moments, bold comebacks, and defining performances that have helped shape the development of women’s football in Spain and beyond.
Here is the head-to-head story between the Madrid and Barcelona women’s teams:
- Iberdrola League, 2019/2020: FC Barcelona 9-1 CD Tacón, CD Tacón 0-6 FC Barcelona.
- Iberdrola League, 2020/2021: Real Madrid 0-4 FC Barcelona, FC Barcelona 4-1 Real Madrid.
- Spanish Super Cup, 2021/2022: FC Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid.
- Iberdrola League, 2021/2022: Real Madrid 1-3 FC Barcelona, FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid.
- Champions League, 2021/22: Real Madrid 1-3 FC Barcelona.
- Champions League, 2021/2022: Barcelona 5-2 Real Madrid.
- Queen’s Cup, 2021/2022: Barcelona 4-0 Real Madrid.
- Spanish Super Cup, 2023: Barcelona 3-1 Real Madrid.
- Iberdrola League, 2022-2023: Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona; Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid.
Across these fixtures, Barcelona has frequently asserted itself as the more consistent force, while Real Madrid has shown moments of strong resistance and tactical growth. The rivalry has evolved into a benchmark for the strength and professionalism of women’s club football in Spain, reflecting broader trends in the sport as it gains traction worldwide.
Notes on the rivalry and its impact come from major football coverage and analyses, including reporting from Goal, which has tracked every key meeting and milestone in this evolving saga.