Valencia FC vs FC Barcelona

The Valencia CF and FC Barcelona have met 231 times since 1917, with Barcelona dominating 115-59 (57 draws).

The Catalan giants average 2.17 goals per match compared to Valencia’s 1.14.

Barcelona won their last meeting 5-0 in February 2025, extending Valencia’s winless streak to 11 matches since January 2020.

In this complete head-to-head guide, you’ll find the next match details, last 10 results, all-time statistics, iconic Copa del Rey finals including Valencia’s stunning 2019 upset, and a decade-by-decade breakdown of Spanish football’s fiercest Mediterranean rivalry.

Next Valencia vs Barcelona Match

Fixture Details:

  • Date: March 2, 2026
  • Time: 21:00 CET (3:00 PM ET)
  • Venue: Mestalla Stadium, Valencia
  • Competition: La Liga Round 26
  • Where to Watch: ESPN+, LaLigaTV, Movistar+

Current Season Standings:

  • Barcelona: 1st place, 62 points (20W-2D-3L)
  • Valencia: 18th place, 21 points (5W-6D-14L)

Team News:

  • Valencia: 7-match winless run, fighting relegation
  • Barcelona: Won last 5 league matches, chasing La Liga title
  • Head-to-head form: Barcelona won last 5 meetings by aggregate 25-4

Last 10 Valencia vs Barcelona Results

Date Venue Competition Score Scorers
Feb 6, 2025 Mestalla Copa del Rey QF Barcelona 5-0 Ferran Torres (3), Fermin Lopez, Yamal
Sep 14, 2025 Camp Nou La Liga Barcelona 6-0 Lopez (2), Lewandowski (2), Raphinha (2)
Jan 26, 2025 Camp Nou La Liga Barcelona 7-1 Lewandowski (2), Raphinha (2), Pedri, Gavi, Kounde / Duro
Aug 17, 2024 Mestalla La Liga Barcelona 2-1 Lewandowski (2) / Duro
Apr 29, 2024 Camp Nou La Liga Barcelona 4-2 Lewandowski, Gundogan, Fermin, Yamal / Foulquier, Pepelu
Dec 16, 2023 Mestalla La Liga Draw 1-1 Joao Felix / Duro
Mar 5, 2023 Camp Nou La Liga Barcelona 1-0 Lewandowski
Oct 29, 2022 Mestalla La Liga Barcelona 1-0 Lewandowski
May 1, 2022 Camp Nou La Liga Barcelona 3-1 Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Aubameyang / Soler
Feb 20, 2022 Mestalla La Liga Draw 1-1 Gavi / Duro

Recent Form Summary: Barcelona unbeaten in last 10 meetings (8 wins, 2 draws). Last Valencia win: January 25, 2020 (2-0 at Mestalla).

Complete Head-to-Head Statistics

Statistic Barcelona Valencia Draws
Total Matches 231 meetings
Overall Wins 115 (49.8%) 59 (25.5%) 57 (24.7%)
Goals Scored 141 74
Goals Per Match 2.17 1.14 3.31 avg
La Liga Matches 89 wins 42 wins 43 draws
Copa del Rey 10 wins 4 wins 3 draws
At Camp Nou 72 wins (62.1%) 18 wins (15.5%) 26 draws
At Mestalla 43 wins (37.1%) 41 wins (35.3%) 31 draws
Biggest Win 7-0 (Feb 2016, Copa) 6-2 (1998, La Liga)
Clean Sheets 68 47

All-Time Top Scorers: Valencia vs Barcelona

Barcelona’s Leading Scorers:

  1. Lionel Messi<span> – 25 goals (2004-2021)
  2. Luis Suárez – 12 goals (2014-2020)
  3. Robert Lewandowski<span> – 9 goals (2022-present)
  4. Rivaldo – 6 goals (1997-2002)
  5. Samuel Eto’o – 5 goals (2004-2009)

Valencia’s Leading Scorers:

  1. David Villa – 8 goals (2005-2010)
  2. Mario Kempes – 5 goals (1976-1981)
  3. Roberto Soldado – 4 goals (2010-2013)
  4. Hugo Duro – 4 goals (2021-present)
  5. Fernando Morientes – 3 goals (1997-2005)

Messi’s 25 goals stand as one of his highest tallies against any opponent during his Barcelona career, averaging a goal every 2.3 matches against Valencia.

Complete Valencia CF vs Barcelona Timeline (1917-2026)

Era Key Matches Result Competition Significance
1917 First official meeting Barcelona win Friendly Rivalry begins
1930-31 Barcelona 5-1 Valencia Barcelona win La Liga Early dominance established
1941-42 Valencia wins first league title Valencia champions La Liga Valencia emerges as force
1961-62 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final Valencia 7-3 aggregate European Valencia’s first European trophy over Barcelona
1970-71 Final matchday drama Valencia 1-0 loss to Espanyol La Liga Valencia wins title despite loss as Barça draws
1998 Copa del Rey Final Valencia 1-0 Cup Valencia ends 19-year trophy drought
1998-99 Mestalla thriller Valencia 4-3 La Liga Memorable comeback victory
May 2000 Spanish Super Cup Valencia win Supercup Valencia dominates Barcelona
2001 Camp Nou decider Barcelona 3-2 La Liga Rivaldo hat-trick denies Valencia Champions League
2003-04 Camp Nou shock Valencia 1-0 La Liga Valencia wins La Liga title
2009 Copa del Rey Final Barcelona 4-1 Cup Barcelona dominance era
2012 Camp Nou drama 2-2 draw La Liga Valencia resilience
February 2016 Copa del Rey Semi-Final Barcelona 7-0 Cup Record-breaking demolition; Messi hat-trick, Suárez 4 goals
May 2019 Copa del Rey Final Valencia 2-1 Cup Valencia’s stunning upset ends Barça’s 4-year reign
January 2025 Mestalla collapse Barcelona 7-1 La Liga Valencia’s worst La Liga defeat since 1955
August 2024 Season opener Valencia 1-2 Barcelona La Liga Lewandowski double secures opening win
September 2025 Camp Nou rout Barcelona 6-0 La Liga Fermin Lopez, Lewandowski, Raphinha doubles
February 2025 Copa del Rey Quarter-Final Barcelona 5-0 Cup Ferran Torres hat-trick against former club

1917-1960: Foundations of Rivalry

First Meeting (1917): Barcelona defeated Valencia in a friendly match, establishing what would become one of Spanish football’s enduring rivalries.

1930-31 La Liga: Barcelona 5-1 Valencia – Early dominance established as Barcelona won convincingly at home during the third La Liga season.

1941-42: Valencia won their first La Liga title, emerging as Barcelona’s primary challenger alongside Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao.

1952-54: Valencia finished La Liga runners-up (1953) then captured the Copa del Generalísimo (1954), positioning themselves as consistent title contenders.

1960s-1970s: European Glory and Domestic Drama

1961-62 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final: Valencia defeated Barcelona 7-3 on aggregate, claiming their first European trophy. The two-legged final showcased Valencia’s tactical discipline against Barcelona’s technical superiority.

1970-71 La Liga Final Day: Valencia entered the last matchday leading Barcelona by one point. Despite losing 1-0 to Espanyol, Valencia won the title when Barcelona drew with Atlético Madrid. Manager Alfredo Di Stéfano built a team that conceded just 19 goals all season, with goalkeeper Abelardo and defender Sol anchoring the defense.

1990s: Valencia’s Resurgence

1998 Copa del Rey Final: Valencia 1-0 Barcelona – Valencia ended a 19-year trophy drought under Claudio Ranieri, signaling their return as major contenders.

1998-99 La Liga at Mestalla: Valencia 4-3 Barcelona – A seven-goal thriller where Valencia’s attacking prowess overwhelmed Barcelona in front of a raucous home crowd. The match featured end-to-end action with both sides creating numerous chances.

1999-2004: Valencia’s Golden Era

August 1999 Spanish Super Cup: Valencia defeated Barcelona to start the season with silverware, building confidence before their historic Champions League run.

1999-2000 Champions League: Valencia reached their first European Cup final, finishing third in La Liga level on points with second-placed Barcelona but four behind champions Deportivo La Coruña.

May 2001 Camp Nou Finale: Barcelona 3-2 Valencia – In one of the rivalry’s most controversial matches, Valencia needed just a draw to qualify for the Champions League. Rivaldo scored a dramatic stoppage-time hat-trick, with his final goal denying Valencia European football. The Brazilian’s performance remains legendary among Barcelona fans and heartbreaking for Valencia supporters.

2003-04 La Liga Title Race: Valencia won La Liga under Rafael Benítez with a crucial 1-0 victory at Camp Nou. Mista’s goal highlighted Valencia’s defensive organization and tactical intelligence. The title win proved Valencia could compete with Barcelona’s resources through superior coaching and team cohesion.

2009-2016: Barcelona’s Total Dominance

2009 Copa del Rey Final: Barcelona 4-1 Valencia – Marking the start of nearly a decade of Barcelona supremacy during the Guardiola and post-Guardiola eras.

2010-2015: Barcelona won 6 of 7 league matches against Valencia as the Messi-led attack proved unstoppable. The only Valencia respite came from occasional draws.

February 3, 2016 Copa del Rey Semi-Final: Barcelona 7-0 Valencia at Camp Nou – The most ruthless performance in rivalry history. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick while Luis Suárez added four goals in a record-breaking demolition. The match showcased Barcelona’s MSN (Messi-Suárez-Neymar) attack at absolute peak, with Valencia helpless to stop the onslaught. The scoreline remains Valencia’s heaviest modern defeat and stands as Barcelona’s biggest margin of victory in the fixture.

2019: Valencia’s Greatest Modern Triumph

May 25, 2019 Copa del Rey Final: Valencia 2-1 Barcelona at Benito Villamarín Stadium, Seville

Valencia entered as massive underdogs. Barcelona led La Liga and featured Messi at his peak. Valencia finished ninth in the league under manager Marcelino García Toral.

Kevin Gameiro opened scoring in the 21st minute, capitalizing on defensive confusion. Rodrigo Moreno doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with a clinical finish.

Messi pulled one back in the 73rd minute, but Valencia held on for their first trophy since 2008.

The victory ended Barcelona’s four-year Copa del Rey winning streak and came during Valencia’s centenary season, making it particularly emotional.

Both Marcelino and sporting director Mateu Alemany were controversially fired three months later after publicly criticizing owner Peter Lim.

2020-2026: Financial Collapse and Total Barcelona Dominance

January 25, 2020: Valencia 2-0 Barcelona – Valencia’s last victory in the rivalry. Maxi Gómez and Jordi Alba (own goal) secured the win at Mestalla.

Since 2020: Barcelona won 8 of 11 league meetings as Valencia’s financial crisis under Peter Lim deepened. The club accumulated over €300M in debt, sold key players (Ferran Torres, José Gayà, Gonçalo Guedes), and cycled through 8 managers.

January 26, 2025: Barcelona 7-1 Valencia at Camp Nou – Valencia’s worst La Liga defeat since March 1955. Robert Lewandowski scored twice alongside goals from Raphinha, Pedri, Gavi, and Jules Koundé. The humiliation reflected Valencia’s organizational chaos, with the team fighting relegation while Barcelona chased the title.

September 14, 2025: Barcelona 6-0 Valencia at Camp Nou – Doubles from Fermin Lopez, Lewandowski, and Raphinha extended Barcelona’s dominance. Valencia offered minimal resistance, sitting 18th in La Liga.

February 6, 2025: Barcelona 5-0 Valencia at Mestalla (Copa del Rey Quarter-Final) – Ferran Torres returned to haunt his boyhood club with a first-half hat-trick. The Valencia academy graduate, who joined Barcelona via Manchester City, showed no mercy against his former team. Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal completed the rout.

Why Valencia Can’t Beat Barcelona Anymore: The Financial Crisis

Valencia’s competitive collapse stems directly from owner Peter Lim’s mismanagement since purchasing the club in 2014:

Financial Disasters:

  • €300M+ debt accumulated through poor transfers and stadium project mismanagement
  • Nou Mestalla construction frozen since 2009, costing millions in interest
  • Asset stripping: Sold Ferran Torres (€55M), José Gayà (free), Gonçalo Guedes, Carlos Soler
  • Wage cap restrictions preventing competitive signings

Sporting Chaos:

  • 8 managers since 2019 including firing Marcelino after Copa del Rey triumph
  • 6 sporting directors in same period, destroying continuity
  • Youth academy talent exodus as prospects leave for stable clubs
  • Relegation battle: 18th place in 2025-26 season

Budget Comparison:

  • Barcelona: €700M annual budget
  • Valencia: €200M annual budget (most allocated to debt service)

The €500M gap makes competitive matches nearly impossible. Barcelona fields €1B+ worth of talent while Valencia relies on free transfers and loan players.

Valencia’s 5 Greatest Wins Over Barcelona

  1. 2019 Copa del Rey Final (2-1) – The ultimate underdog victory. Valencia shocked Messi’s Barcelona to end a 4-year Copa drought and claim their first trophy in 11 years during their centenary season.
  2. 2003-04 La Liga Title Decider (1-0 at Camp Nou) – Mista’s goal helped Valencia finish atop La Liga, proving Rafael Benítez’s tactics could overcome Barcelona’s superior resources.
  3. 1961-62 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final (7-3 aggregate) – Valencia’s first European trophy came against Barcelona, establishing them as continental competitors.
  4. 1970-71 La Liga Final Day – Despite losing to Espanyol, Valencia won the championship when Barcelona drew. The dramatic finale featured three title contenders on the final matchday.
  5. 1998-99 Mestalla Thriller (4-3) – Seven goals, end-to-end action, and Valencia’s attacking brilliance signaled their return as genuine title contenders under Claudio Ranieri.

Managerial Records in the Rivalry

Most Successful Barcelona Managers:

  • Pep Guardiola: 8 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses (2008-2012)
  • Luis Enrique: 7 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss (2014-2017)
  • Hansi Flick: 5 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses (2024-present)

Most Successful Valencia Managers:

  • Rafael Benítez: 3 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses (2001-2004)
  • Claudio Ranieri: 2 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses (1997-1999)
  • Marcelino García Toral: 1 win (2019 Copa final), 2 draws, 4 losses (2017-2019)

Guardiola’s perfect record reflects Barcelona’s tiki-taka dominance, while Flick’s ongoing unbeaten streak suggests continued superiority under his high-pressing system.

El Clásico del Mediterráneo: Regional Rivalry

The Valencia-Barcelona rivalry represents more than football; it’s Catalonia versus the Valencia Community, two Mediterranean regions with distinct identities.

Barcelona (Blaugrana):

  • Camp Nou: 99,354 capacity (Europe’s largest)
  • Catalan identity and political autonomy movement
  • “Més que un club” (More than a club) philosophy
  • Global brand worth billions

Valencia (Los Che):

  • Mestalla: 49,430 capacity, fierce atmosphere
  • Valencian regional pride and bat symbol
  • Working-class roots versus Barcelona’s cosmopolitan image
  • Financial struggles contrast Barcelona’s wealth

The rivalry peaked during Valencia’s 1999-2004 golden era when genuine title battles occurred. Current financial disparity has diminished competitive balance, though Mestalla atmosphere remains hostile for visiting Barcelona sides.

FAQs

When is the next Valencia vs Barcelona match?

The next Valencia vs Barcelona match is scheduled for March 2, 2026 at 21:00 CET (3:00 PM ET) at Mestalla Stadium in La Liga Round 26. Watch on ESPN+, LaLigaTV, or Movistar+.

When did Valencia last beat Barcelona?

Valencia last defeated Barcelona on January 25, 2020, winning 2-0 at Mestalla in La Liga through goals from Maxi Gómez and a Jordi Alba own goal. Since then, Barcelona has won 8 of 11 league meetings with Valencia managing only draws.

What was Barcelona’s biggest win over Valencia?

Barcelona’s biggest victory was 7-0 in the February 3, 2016 Copa del Rey semi-final at Camp Nou. Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick while Luis Suárez added four goals in the record-breaking demolition that remains Valencia’s heaviest modern defeat.

Who has won more matches between Valencia and Barcelona?

Barcelona leads the all-time head-to-head record with 115 wins compared to Valencia’s 59 across 231 meetings. Barcelona also averages 2.17 goals per match versus Valencia’s 1.14, reflecting consistent offensive superiority since 1917.

What is Valencia’s most memorable victory over Barcelona?

Valencia’s 2-1 Copa del Rey final victory on May 25, 2019 at Benito Villamarín Stadium stands as their greatest modern triumph. Valencia shocked favorites Barcelona to claim their first trophy since 2008, ending Barcelona’s four-year Copa winning streak during Valencia’s centenary season.

Who is the all-time top scorer in Valencia vs Barcelona matches?

Lionel Messi leads all scorers with 25 goals against Valencia between 2004-2021, representing one of his highest tallies against any opponent. Luis Suárez scored 12 goals in this fixture for Barcelona, while David Villa netted 8 goals across stints with both clubs.

How has the rivalry changed in recent years?

The rivalry has become increasingly one-sided since 2020 as Valencia’s financial crisis deepened under Peter Lim’s ownership. Barcelona has won 8 of 11 league matches, including devastating 7-1, 6-0, and 5-0 victories. The €500M budget gap makes competitive matches nearly impossible.

Where can I watch Valencia vs Barcelona live?

Valencia vs Barcelona matches are broadcast on ESPN+ (USA), LaLigaTV (international), Movistar+ (Spain), and various regional broadcasters. Streaming options include ESPN+ subscription, LaLigaTV app, or VPN services for international viewers accessing Spanish broadcasts.

M. Abdullah
M. Abdullah is a professional football writer known for his expert player analyses, transfer insights, and in-depth coverage of the global game. His work delivers clear, reliable, and engaging football content for fans worldwide.