The upcoming Copa del Rey final presents a highly anticipated El Clásico showdown between Barcelona and Real Madrid. These two Spanish football giants are also direct rivals for the league championship. While Barcelona remains in contention for a potential treble across all competitions, their situations diverge significantly this season. Real Madrid`s Champions League campaign has ended, and they currently sit four points behind Barcelona in the league standings. Barcelona, conversely, hold control over their fate in all tournaments they are participating in. Managerial stability also differs, with speculation surrounding Carlo Ancelotti`s future at Real Madrid, contrasting with Barcelona`s apparent satisfaction after Xavi`s first full season.
However, the intensity of a rivalry match, especially with a trophy at stake, often overrides current form or circumstances. This upcoming match marks only the eighth occasion Barcelona and Real Madrid have faced each other in the final of the Copa del Rey. Despite their frequent appearances and successes in the Champions League, these two rivals have never contested the final of Europe`s premier club competition. They have met in numerous Spanish Super Cup finals, but unlike the knockout format of the Copa del Rey, the Super Cup is viewed differently and doesn`t hold the same historical significance.
Let`s delve into the history of Barcelona and Real Madrid`s encounters in the Copa del Rey final.
Historical Overview in the Competition
The Copa del Rey, a tournament with a rich history spanning 122 years since its inception in 1903, sees Athletic Club as the current holders, a status set to change after the final. Despite the long history of this prestigious competition, Barcelona and Real Madrid have only met seven times in the final prior to their upcoming clash. Barcelona holds the record for the most Copa del Rey titles with 31, while Real Madrid has lifted the trophy 20 times. On eighteen occasions, the Copa del Rey winner has also gone on to secure the La Liga title, completing a domestic double. In their head-to-head finals history in this cup, Barcelona has emerged victorious three times, while Real Madrid has claimed the title in four of their encounters.
Past Meetings in the Copa del Rey Final
1936: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
Held in Valencia, this final marked the inaugural meeting between the two giants in the Copa del Rey showpiece. Real Madrid established a commanding 2-0 lead early on, with goals from Eugenio Hilario and Simon Lecue within the first 12 minutes proving decisive. Although Josep Escola managed to score for Barcelona, it was not enough to prevent Real Madrid from securing the victory.
1968: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 0
More than three decades passed before their next final encounter, which took place at Real Madrid`s home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu. Barcelona secured revenge through an early own goal by Fernando Zunzunegui, scored just six minutes into the match, which was enough to claim the trophy.
1974: Real Madrid 4, Barcelona 0
Six years later, the rivals met again at Atletico Madrid`s Vicente Calderon stadium. Real Madrid dominated this fixture, with an early goal from Santillana in the fifth minute setting the tone. They added three more goals in the second half to complete a comprehensive 4-0 victory.
1983: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 1
Meeting in Zaragoza, this final was closely contested for large periods. The match remained level until the final minute when Marcos Alonso scored a memorable diving header in the 90th minute, securing the trophy for Barcelona in dramatic fashion.
1990: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 0
Returning to Mestalla in Valencia, Barcelona achieved back-to-back Copa del Rey final victories against Real Madrid. In a tightly fought match, Guillermo Amor broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, and Julio Salinas sealed the win with a second goal in the 90th minute.
2011: Real Madrid 1, Barcelona 0 (After Extra Time)
After a 21-year hiatus from facing each other in the final, the rivalry renewed at Mestalla. For the first time in their Copa del Rey final meetings, the match went to extra time following a goalless 90 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo emerged as the match-winner, scoring a header assisted by Angel Di Maria in extra time to clinch the trophy for José Mourinho`s side.
2014: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
Just three years later, Mestalla hosted another El Clásico final. Angel Di Maria scored the opening goal for Real Madrid, but the most iconic moment came from Gareth Bale, who scored the winning goal in the 85th minute with a spectacular solo run down the wing, famously outpacing Marc Bartra. Barcelona had scored through Bartra earlier, but Bale`s extraordinary effort secured Real Madrid`s win.
