#3 Real Madrid’s Revenge at the Camp Nou, 2011-2012

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 07: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his sides opening goal during the la Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium on October 7, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) — The now famous “calm down” celebration

Since facing the humiliating 2-6 defeat at the hands of their arch rivals, Real Madrid were desperate to win the title again. Barcelona won back to back titles in next two years. But Real finally got their revenge in the third year.

Putting up an impressive performance throughout the season, Los Blancos travelled to Catalonia on 21st April 2012, which turned out to be the defining match of the season. Barcelona needed a win to keep their title hopes alive while a draw or a win would seal the title for Madrid.

Real started the game brightly, Sami Khedira capitalising on a mistake by Barca keeper Victor Valdes to open the scoring. The Catalans searched desperately for an equaliser for rest of the first half but failed to score a goal.

Barcelona’s title hopes were given a lifeline in the 2nd half when substitute Alexis Sanchez found the net merely seconds after coming on to the pitch. The game was level again.

But it only took two minutes and 19 seconds for Real to take the lead again. After a superb through ball from Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo brilliantly stepped around Valdes to score the goal and put the Capital side in front. After the goal, Ronaldo did his now infamous “Calm Down” celebration, mocking the crowd at Camp Nou.

The victory sealed the title for Real Madrid, ending the dominance of Barcelona and gave Jose Mourinho his only Spanish league title to date.

Edited by Staff Editor