The clubs that Real Madrid has never beaten

Real Madrid is associated with titles, greatness, and victories. In fact, for many, it's the best team in football history. That's why it's so odd to find teams the Spanish club hasn't been able to beat in its history. Today, we'll review a list of eight teams that can boast that. Of course, most of them haven't had many matches against Real Madrid; in some cases, it's only been one. However, this doesn't take away any of its merit, as no matter the season, the Whites always have a great squad with big players.

Arsenal

Despite being a team that regularly participates in the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal has only faced Real Madrid in two knockout ties, or four matches. The first time was in 2006, in the round of 16 of that season's Champions League. The aggregate score on that occasion was 1-0, and the difference between the teams was a superb goal from Henry. The second meeting was more recent, in the 2024-25 season, in the quarterfinals of Europe's premier club competition. This time, the aggregate score was much more resounding, 5-1 in favor of the Gunners, with a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium and a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. This also makes Arsenal the club that has had the most matches against Real Madrid without losing.

Ipswich Town

The other English club that can boast of not having lost to Real Madrid is Ipswich Town, who have faced the Spanish club twice, in the first round of the 1973-74 UEFA Cup. That time, the first leg was played in England and the home team won 1-0 thanks to an own goal by Benito Rubiñán, which would be the only difference between the two teams, as the match in Spain ended 0-0. Because Ipswich has been away from European football scene for the last few decades, there has been no chance of revenge for the Real Madrid club.

Aberdeen

Real Madrid has not been known for losing European finals throughout its history; in fact, it has done so on only a few occasions, and one was against Scottish Aberdeen. The only meeting between the Scots and Spaniards was the 1983 European Cup Winners' Cup final. That final featured illustrious names on both sides. To name a few, Aberdeen was managed by Sir Alex Ferguson and featured players like Alex McLeish and Gordon Strachan. Real Madrid, meanwhile, was managed by Alfredo Di Stefano and featured Juanito, Stielike, and Santillana on the pitch. The Scottish team won 2-1, with a deciding extra-time goal from John Hewitt.

CD Toledo

It's almost impossible to believe but this list actually includes a Spanish team, as it's hard to believe Real Madrid hasn't beaten every Spanish club at some point. However, there is one that can boast of this: CD Toledo. The club from Castille-La Mancha has never been in the top tier of Spanish football, and its only meeting with Real Madrid was in the Copa del Rey in the 2000-01 season, right at the beginning of the Galactica era. The match was in the first round of the cup and resulted in a surprising 2-1 victory for Toledo.

Outside the home ground of Lille - Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Lille OSC

In recent years, the French club has become a team that competes for the top spots in its domestic league and regularly participates in the European cups. In the 2024-25 season, in the Champions League, they faced Real Madrid for the first time in history at home, with Lille winning 1-0 with a penalty goal from the Canadian forward Jonathan David. With that result, the French team became the latest club to join the select group of teams that have faced Real Madrid and not lost.

Boca Juniors

At the end of November 2000, the Intercontinental Cup was played, the competition that pitted the UEFA Champions League winner against the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores winner. On that occasion, the champions were Real Madrid and Boca Juniors, respectively. This was another match played in the early months of the Spanish club's nascent Galactica era didn't go as desired, leaving Real Madrid with another team that they haven't been able to beat, as we saw with Toledo. That Intercontinental Cup final ended 2-1 in favor of the Argentine team thanks to a double by Martín Palermo in the first six minutes of the match. Curiously, despite the fact that both teams would later win their respective international cups on several occasions, they have not met again.

Corinthians

The Club World Cup that will be played this summer is not a new idea for FIFA, as a tournament with that name was already held in 2000, seeking to replicate the national team World Cup. For various reasons, the tournament was not continued in that format, although an edition was held in Brazil. Real Madrid participated as one of the two European representatives (along with Manchester United) and had initial clashes with several clubs, such as the now very famous Al-Nassr and Raja Casablanca, which where two teams that the Spanish team managed to beat. However, they also faced Corinthians for the first time, and the result here was a 2-2 draw against the Brazilians, allowing Corinthians to reach the all-Brazilian final against Vasco da Gama. In that match, Anelka scored a brace for Real Madrid and Edilson did the samee for Corinthians. It's worth noting that the Brazilian team would come to win that tournament.

Club Necaxa

That same tournament saw Real Madrid, second in their group (behind Corinthians), face Club Necaxa of Mexico, second in the other group, in the match for third place. It was also the first time the two clubs had faced each other. The match ended in a 1-1 draw in regular time and went to penalties. After the first two penalties from each team, Madrid led 2-1; however, misses by McManaman and Dorado, coupled with three consecutive successes by the Mexican team, ultimately gave Necaxa third place. For statistical purposes, this match actually counts as a draw, which still allows the Mexicans to enter this list.