An eagerly anticipated El Clasico encounter is set to decide the winner of the Copa del Rey. This final brings together Spanish football`s two most prominent clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid. While both teams are perennial contenders, their seasons can differ. Despite current form or league positions, the rivalry intensifies dramatically when a trophy is at stake.
The Copa del Rey final will mark only the eighth time that Barcelona and Real Madrid have competed directly for this title. Despite their frequent battles in La Liga and other cup competitions like the Spanish Super Cup, and their consistent presence in the Champions League, they have never met in the final of European football`s premier club tournament.
- History of the Rivalry in the Copa del Rey
- Memorable Copa del Rey Final Clashes
- 1936: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
- 1968: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 0
- 1974: Real Madrid 4, Barcelona 0
- 1983: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 1
- 1990: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 0
- 2011: Real Madrid 1, Barcelona 0 (After Extra Time)
- 2014: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
History of the Rivalry in the Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey, a tournament with a rich history spanning over 120 years since 1903, is Spain`s oldest football competition. Barcelona holds the record for the most titles, having lifted the trophy 31 times, while Real Madrid has won it on 20 occasions. Only seven previous finals in the tournament`s long history have featured a direct clash between these two giants. In these seven encounters, Real Madrid holds a slight advantage, having won four times compared to Barcelona`s three victories.
Memorable Copa del Rey Final Clashes
1936: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
The first Copa del Rey final meeting took place in Valencia. Real Madrid established a 2-0 lead early on with goals from Eugenio Hilario and Simon Lecue within the opening 12 minutes. Josep Escola managed to score for Barcelona, but it was not enough to prevent Real Madrid from securing the win.
1968: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 0
More than three decades later, the rivals met again, this time at Real Madrid`s home ground, the Santiago Bernabeu. Barcelona exacted revenge thanks to an early own goal by Fernando Zunzunegui just six minutes into the match, which proved to be the decisive moment.
1974: Real Madrid 4, Barcelona 0
Just six years later, the two clubs contested the final at Atletico Madrid`s Vicente Calderon stadium. Real Madrid delivered a dominant performance. Santillana opened the scoring within five minutes, and three more goals in the second half sealed a comprehensive victory for Real Madrid.
1983: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 1
The rivalry continued to produce tightly contested finals. This match in Zaragoza remained level for most of the game until Marcos Alonso scored a dramatic diving header in the 90th minute, securing the trophy for Barcelona in an iconic late finish.
1990: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 0
Returning to Mestalla in Valencia, Barcelona achieved consecutive Copa del Rey final victories against Real Madrid with a strong defensive display. Guillermo Amor opened the scoring in the 68th minute, and Julio Salinas added a second goal in the final minute to ensure Barcelona`s win.
2011: Real Madrid 1, Barcelona 0 (After Extra Time)
After a 21-year gap, the rivals met again at the Mestalla. This final was the first between them to require extra time. After 90 goalless minutes, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal with a powerful header assisted by Angel Di Maria, earning the trophy for Jose Mourinho`s side.
2014: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
Three years later, the final was back in Valencia and delivered another memorable moment. Angel Di Maria scored the opener, but the match is most remembered for Gareth Bale`s incredible solo run and winning goal in the 85th minute, where he famously outpaced Marc Bartra. Bartra had previously equalized for Barcelona, but Bale`s late strike secured the trophy for Real Madrid.
