What happens when Madrid closes the roof of the Bernabéu: All matches and results

The continuous improvements and restorations of modern stadiums have created a new myth among supporters and rivals of Real Madrid in recent years. But what really happens when the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium closes its famous retractable roof?

The closed roof is often thought to be able to magnify the cheers of the supporters to deafening levels, thereby putting great psychological pressure on the visiting teams and boosting Real Madrid's unmatched home advantage.

However, as we examine more match statistics from the Bernabéu with the roof closed, we find a more complicated and even somewhat unexpected picture challenging this apparently perfect "myth".

Real Madrid vs Getafe (result: 2-1)

Initially, the story seemed to confirm the effect of the myth, with Real Madrid posting amazing results in the first few occasions where the roof was closed for official games.

Real Madrid won its first-ever game with a roof closed thanks to late goals from Joselu and Bellingham. It was a La Liga clash against Getafe on September 2, 2023, which was closed due to rain.

Real Madrid took control of the game with a ball possession of 77% and 16 attempts at goal. The result marked their fourth win in a row and saw them go 12 points clear at the top of the table, giving the early indication that a closed-roof Bernabéu will be a nightmare for opponents.

Real Madrid vs Villareal (result: 4-1)

Real Madrid maintained its momentum in subsequent games played under a closed roof. The Bernabéu canopy was once again closed on December 17, 2023, during the La Liga game versus Villarreal, not for weather-related considerations but rather for tactical reasons.

Bellingham, Rodrygo, Dias, and Modric's goals produced a convincing 4-1 victory, helping the club stay close to Girona and preserve their title bid. Despite an unfortunate injury to Alaba, both performance and result were good.

The Bernabéu was once again closed in a January 3, 2024, game versus Mallorca due to low temperatures of 8°C. Real Madrid maintained the top spot with 48 points, while Rüdiger scored the only goal with a header from Modrić's corner, producing a close 1-0 triumph.

Though the score was close and Mallorca even hit the crossbar, Real Madrid were in control of the game (65% possession, 15 shots) and guaranteed the crucial three points. Still, some potential challenges began to rear their heads in these victories.

Real Madrid vs Getafe (result: 3-2)

The roof was closed once again during the January 21, 2024, game versus Almería, and the temperature ranged from 5 to 8°C. This game proved to be a turbulent struggle, with Almería stunning Real Madrid right away thanks to Ramazani and Edgar's efforts, securing a two-goal lead.

Although Real Madrid finally turned the game around with Bellingham's penalty, Vinicius's "shoulder" goal, and Carvajal's last-minute winner in the 99th minute to win 3-2, the match revealed the team's defensive flaws in enclosed surroundings. They were constantly vulnerable from the opponent's set pieces and quick counterattacks, and although VAR rulings in this game caused major controversy, Real Madrid finally came out on top.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (result: 1-1)

It was clear by this stage in 2024 that the closed-roof matches had grown more challenging and the results had become more erratic. The roof was closed for tactical reasons ahead of the February 4, 2024, derby match between Atlético Madrid, at 11°C temperature.

Días took advantage of Oblak's mistake to get the first goal before a late Llorente header restored parity, ending the game at a final score of 1-1.

This draw reduced Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga standings and showed that, even in a closed-roof Bernabéu, opponents were still capable of causing problems and pilfering points.

Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig (result: 1-1)

The UEFA Champions League games aggravated this issue even more. On March 6, 2024, against RB Leipzig, Bernabéu closed its canopy for the first time in a Champions League game. Although Real Madrid held a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, this game turned out to be quite challenging.

Vinicius and Orban both scored in quick succession, as both clubs settled for a share of the spoils. But Real Madrid only barely advanced to the next round, with Leipzig twice hitting the woodwork, and Lunin's vital stops the saving grace for Real Madrid to barely advance with an aggregate score of 2-1. 

Real Madrid's performance in this game was below expectations, as their possession rate (54%) and number of shots (11) failed to reflect any clear superiority.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona (result: 3-2)

April 20, 2024, marked the first El Clásico under a closed-roof Bernabéu, and it was a feisty affair with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster.

Los Blancos fell behind in the sixth minute to a Christensen set-piece goal before clawing back 12 minutes later through a Vinicius penalty. The match continued in this ping-pong approach with Lopez and Vasquez scoring for either team as the match crept into added time.

However, Real Madrid snatched victory at the death with a 90+1 Bellingham winner to go 11 points clear of their rivals.

Although the victory was attained, the tight nature of the clash showed no clear advantage brought about by the closed roof, with Barcelona even having a Yamal ghost goal disallowed.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City (result: 3-3)

The next two times the Bernabéu's roof was closed were during two exciting Champions League knockout games.

On April 9, 2024, the canopy closed for the first leg of the quarter-finals against Manchester City and turned out to be a goal-fest, with both sides trading strikes that finally produced a 3-3 draw.

Every one of the six goals—Silva's free kick, Camavinga's deflection, Rodrygo's one-on-one, Foden and Gvardiol's long-range efforts, and Valverde's volley—was exceptional.

Real Madrid also had fewer shots than Manchester City, and their possession rate (41%) was far lower than that of their opponents. Although the closed-door first leg at the Bernabéu did not yield the expected result, Real Madrid progressed through a penalty shootout in the second leg away from home.

Real Madrid vs Bayern (result: 2-1)

On May 8, 2024, the canopy was once more closed during the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich. The game was marked by a range of highs and lows, with Davis's remarkable strike putting Bayern within reach of a precious victory.

However, Joselu capitalised on Neuer's mistake in the last seconds of the game to score twice, thereby guaranteeing a 2-1 comeback win and a 4-3 aggregate score to qualify Real Madrid for the final.

Despite Real Madrid's higher possession rate (57%) and shot count, it was the last moments that guaranteed their success in this game. Nevertheless, it was a victory steeped in suspense.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona (result: 0-4)

The real turning point of the closed-roof Bernabéu came about right after autumn 2024. After being unbeaten in the first eight games where the canopy was closed, Madrid went on a terrible run of losses, kickstarting with the El Clásico against Barcelona on October 26, 2024, where they suffered an implosion of chasmic proportions.

In this El Clásico, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 0-4 at home, with Lewandowski scoring twice and Yamal and Raphinha adding to the total. Though Real Madrid had more shots on target and a better possession percentage, their defence was marked by several gaps and poor efficiency. This loss left Real Madrid six points behind Barcelona in the standings.

Real Madrid vs Milan (result: 1-3)

Right after the first-ever defeat, Real Madrid lost once more at the closed Bernabéu on November 5, 2024, 1-3, in the Champions League game against AC Milan. Vinicius levelled the score with a penalty, but Milan prevailed finally with goals from Thiago, Morata, and Reinders.

Real Madrid were demoted to 18th place in the Champions League group stage following this loss and were at risk of failing to secure qualification to the knockouts.

Real Madrid vs Valencia (result: 1-2)

Entering 2025, The collapse under the closed roof of the Bernabéu didn't stop. On April 5, 2025, Real Madrid lost the La Liga game against Valencia 1–2, with their Ches Blanquinegros prevailing thanks to goals from Diakhaby and Duro as well as a penalty miss from Vinicius. 

Although Vinicius still managed to bag a goal and Real Madrid created lots of opportunities—21 shots, 9 on target— Valencia goalkeeper Mamardashvili was the difference between victory and defeat with 8 saves made. This loss put a damp on Real Madrid's title challenge, leading to a three-point deficit to the top of the La Liga standings. 

Real Madrid vs Arsenal (result: 1-2)

In the most recent closed-roof encounter at the Bernabéu on April 16, 2025, Real Madrid lost 1-2 to Arsenal in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals and were thus eliminated by an aggregate score of 5-1.

Arsenal scored through Saka and Martinelli, while Vinicius was Real Madrid's only goal scorer. Although Real Madrid had a greater possession rate and more shots, only 3 of their 18 attempts were on target.

This terrible loss drew the curtain on Real Madrid's Champions League campaign for the 24/25 season and raised more questions about the effectiveness of a closed-roof Bernabéu.

What's Real Madrid's record at a closed-roof Bernabéu?

After this analysis, we have noticed some fascinating events during the 13 matches held under a closed-roof Bernabéu.

First, these matchups often feature shockingly high goal counts, with 11 of these games seeing a total goal count of at least three goals.

This suggests that a closed setting could affect the speed of the game or the players' judgement, thereby improving the transparency of the matches.

Second, Real Madrid's defensive performances under a closed Bernabéu have been alarming, with only one clean sheet, against Mallorca, recorded in 13 games. This suggests that, regardless of the calibre of their opponent, Real Madrid has great difficulties keeping a clean sheet at the Bernabéu when the roof is closed.

Ultimately, and most crucially, despite their great start, Real Madrid have lost each of their most recent five games played under the closed canopy. This is much different from the four consecutive wins gained at first.

So is the myth that "Real Madrid becomes unstoppable when the Bernabéu roof is closed" true? Statistics point to a no.

Although a closed Bernabéu may create a more charged atmosphere, it does not seem to produce a consistently stable home advantage, especially when facing elite teams and during pivotal points of the season.

Recent successive losses, defensive lapses, and high-scoring games clearly show that the Santiago Bernabéu with a closed roof is not a "death zone" for opponents.