The Clasicos between Real Madrid and Barcelona are often considered to be more than just a football match. There are few things that can please a fan more than beating their fiercest rival.
This week is the 70th anniversary of the biggest humiliation Los Merengues inflicted on Los Cules, defeating them 11-1 in the second leg of the semifinals of the 1943 Copa.
The story of that avalanche of goals began in the first leg. Barca won 3-0 at Les Corts Stadium and it seemed impossible that they would not qualify. However, the Madridistas finished that game very angry, and it wasn’t only for the result.
In fact, both the team and Madrid press complained about the hostile atmosphere they received at Les Corts, something very unusual at that time. That helped turn up the heat for the return leg. Before the game, more than 20,000 whistles were sold with the intention of creating an intimidating atmosphere for the Azulgrana.
That tactic worked perfectly for Los Blancos, as Real, with an impressive atmosphere at their stadium, were able to embarrass Barca, leading 8-0 at half-time. In the second half, Los Merengues played with less intensity and the final score was an historic 11-1.
Barcelona’s goalkeeper Miro was so ashamed that he never played football again. The Azulgrana complained about having been intimidated by police and about the unfriendly environment on and around the field.
One of the people that complained the most was journalist Juan Antonio Samaranch, who denounced insistently what Barca suffered in Madrid. His complaints were in vain, and he was even banned from writing in a newspaper. That was the moment when he left journalism apart and started a career that would finally bring him to the presidency of the International Olympic Committee.
