Saturday`s Copa del Rey final presents a highly anticipated El Clásico clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid. This encounter is notable as it marks only the eighth time these historic rivals have met in the final match of the competition. While they often face off in other tournaments and domestic leagues, their history in the Copa del Rey final is less extensive than one might expect, especially compared to their complete absence of meetings in a Champions League final. Despite numerous appearances in Spanish Super Cup finals, the knockout format of the Copa del Rey adds a distinct weight and significance to their final confrontations.
History in the Tournament Finals
The Copa del Rey is Spain`s premier knockout football competition, with a rich history spanning over 120 years. Barcelona holds the record for the most titles with 31, while Real Madrid is third with 20 wins. This specific final marked just the eighth occasion where the two giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid, faced each other for the trophy. Heading into the match, Real Madrid held a slight edge in their direct final encounters, having won four times compared to Barcelona`s three victories. The winner of this tournament has gone on to achieve a domestic double (winning the league and cup) 18 times throughout history.
Past Meetings in the Final
1936: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
The first Copa del Rey final meeting between the two rivals took place in Valencia. Real Madrid secured the win by scoring two goals within the opening 12 minutes, courtesy of Eugenio Hilario and Simon Lecue. Josep Escola pulled a goal back for Barcelona, but it wasn`t enough to overcome Madrid for the win.
1968: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 0
More than 30 years later, the rivals met again in the final, this time at Real Madrid`s home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu. Barcelona secured victory thanks to an early own goal by Real Madrid`s Fernando Zunzunegui in the sixth minute, giving them revenge for the first final defeat.
1974: Real Madrid 4, Barcelona 0
Just six years later, the teams clashed at Atlético Madrid`s stadium, the Vicente Calderon. Real Madrid dominated this encounter, opening the scoring early through Santillana five minutes in and adding three more goals in the second half to claim a decisive, high-scoring victory.
1983: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 1
These two rivals continued trading blows in the Copa del Rey finals. This match, held in Zaragoza, was closely contested and level for most of the duration. Barcelona secured the trophy with a dramatic diving header from Marcos Alonso in the 90th minute, providing an iconic and late finish to secure the win.
1990: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 0
Returning to Mestalla in Valencia, Barcelona claimed back-to-back Copa del Rey titles against Madrid. In a tight match with little to separate the sides for much of the game, Guillermo Amor broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, and Julio Salinas sealed the victory with an insurance goal in the 90th minute.
2011: Real Madrid 1, Barcelona 0 after extra time
After a significant gap of 21 years, the rivals met again in the final. For the first time in a Copa del Rey final between them, the match went to extra time after a goalless 90 minutes at the Mestalla. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal with a powerful header assisted by Angel Di Maria, securing the trophy for José Mourinho`s `Galacticos`.
2014: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
In a continuing theme, the teams were back in Valencia three years later for one of the most memorable cup goals in their history. Angel Di Maria opened the scoring for Real Madrid, but while Marc Bartra equalized for Barcelona, Gareth Bale scored a spectacular solo goal in the 85th minute, sprinting past Bartra down the wing to secure Real Madrid`s win in dramatic fashion.
Dominic Ashworth