El Clasico: Top 5 matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid

Sunday marks the 230th competitive meeting in all competitions between Barcelona and Real Madrid, as the two storied teams get set to produce a match that will be analysed and talked about long after the 90 minutes are through.

The clash between the two Spanish teams has rarely failed to live up to the billing and this year's edition should be no different, with the top spot in La Liga up for grabs. 

While the world eagerly waits for kickoff, here's the top five matches from one of the greatest rivalries in sports:

5. 1916 - Real Madrid 4, Barcelona 2: The neverending tie

Almost 100 years later, fans would love a repeat of the four-leg series during the Copa del Rey in 1916. Without the luxury of goal difference to decide a winner, Barcelona and Real Madrid were forced to play a further two matches following their first two legs when both teams recorded wins. The first replay saw them put together an incredible 6-6 scoreline before Madrid prevailed in the second replay with a 4-2 win.

4. 2009 - Barcelona 6, Real Madrid 2: Barca hand Madrid worst home loss

It wasn't quite the thrashing Madrid laid on them some 64 years prior, but Barcelona exacted some revenge when they produced the most lopsided win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Thierry Henry got the scoring started inside the first 20 minutes and Gerard Pique put the final nail in Madrid's coffin to send Barcelona home with a famous 6-2 win.

(Courtesy: FC Barcelona)

3. 1943 - Real Madrid 11, Barcelona 1: Historic thrashing

The second leg between the two during the Copa del Rey in 1943 produced a scoreline that will never be duplicated in future El Clasico encounters after Real Madrid thumped their rivals with an astounding 11-1 beatdown.

Oviously inspired after their first leg loss, Los Blancos wanted to avoid the same fate at home. Madrid overwhelmed the Catalans by finding the back of the net eight times before halftime, including a 12-minute span where a seven-goal barrage all but ended the affair.

2. 2005 - Barcelona 3, Real Madrid 0: Ronaldinho brings Bernabeu to its feet

Ronaldinho's dominance during the 2005 version of El Clasico produced one of the rarer moments between the teams. With Barcelona leading by a pair of goals at the Santiago Bernabeu, the home crowd couldn't help but pay tribute to the Brazilian superstar as he tore their team apart.

His goal with just under 15 minutes remaining was the climax of Barcelona's victory, as Iker Casillas's face afterwards told the tale of a 'keeper left completely defenseless against a player at the top of his game. Madrid fans, appreciating the incredible display, rose to their feet and gave Ronaldinho a standing ovation.

(Courtesy: tiak08)

1. 2007 - Barcelona 3, Real Madrid 3: Messi puts his mark on El Clasico

This classic match occurred at a time of transition for both teams. Real Madrid was trying to figure out what went wrong during the Galacticos era, while Frank Rijkaard's men struggled to live up to the lofty expectations of the dominant 2006 Barcelona outfit. Both squads possessed their predictable group of the world's best, but Barcelona's budding star stole the show.

Lionel Messi, playing in his first El Clasico, was already on the verge of becoming a household name, but his three-goal performance endeared him to Barcelona supporters. His 88th-minute goal past Iker Casillas sent home supporters into a frenzy as they avoided losing their second consecutive El Clasico in the league.

(Courtesy: MrBarcelonarif)