About the Match
Barcelona vs Real Madrid matches are always vibrant and played at a fast pace. It is often the case that in this intense atmosphere, certain players excel and become the key figures in these types of encounters. This was the case for Raúl in one of the most memorable classics for Madrid fans.
The Build-Up
The 'white' team was not doing well before this match. After six rounds, they were in eighth place, six points behind their arch-rivals. Everything favored the 'blaugrana' team, who had great players such as Rivaldo, Guardiola, and Kluivert. However, the 'angel' from Madrid made his presence felt and scored the first goal, surprising the entire Catalan stadium.
Barcelona's Reaction: Frustration and Fights
Barcelona reacted and turned the score around with goals from Rivaldo and Luis Figo. A clear handball inside the box was not given in favor of Real Madrid, and leaders like Raúl and captain Fernando Redondo were losing their patience in an increasingly exciting match.
The Real Madrid team, frustrated by not being able to equalize, started playing with greater aggression. Numerous fouls infuriated Barcelona's forward Kluivert, who was eventually sent off. Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and a young Carles Puyol tried to calm him down while he continued to argue with the referee.
Volatile Atmosphere: Confrontation and Chaos
At that time, Van Gaal was the Barcelona coach. Redondo's aggression towards Rivaldo forced him to leave the bench and separate his players. They were on the verge of fighting with the Real Madrid players. It was a heated match, and the Barcelona fans became increasingly hostile towards the Madrid players.
An 'Angel' Quieting Camp Nou
And with 5 minutes left in the match, Raúl appeared to score the second goal for Real Madrid. After a pass from Sávio, he delicately chipped the Catalan goalkeeper. Until that match, the forward had not scored any goals at Camp Nou. On that occasion, he scored both goals for his team.
His fantastic goal silenced all Barcelona fans and caused celebrations among the Real Madrid fans, who still remember their forward's gesture of silencing the entire Camp Nou. Goals like this in such a heated match made Raúl González Blanco one of the last great idols of the Madrid team.