The Copa del Rey final on Saturday features a highly anticipated El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. These two Spanish giants are also locked in a battle for the league title. Barcelona is additionally pursuing a potential treble this season, but beyond these points, their situations differ significantly. Real Madrid has been eliminated from the Champions League and trails Barcelona by four points in La Liga, while Barcelona remains in contention on all fronts. Even the managerial situations contrast: Carlo Ancelotti`s time at Real Madrid might be nearing an end, whereas Barcelona is very pleased with their first season under Flick.
However, in a rivalry match, especially with a trophy at stake, these external factors often lose significance. This upcoming match marks only the eighth occasion that Barcelona and Real Madrid have faced off in the Copa del Rey final. Despite their frequent appearances in the Champions League, surprisingly, they have never met in the final of that competition. While they have contested numerous Spanish Super Cup finals, that tournament doesn`t carry the same prestige as reaching the Copa del Rey final through a knockout format.
History in This Tournament
Athletic Club is the current holder of the Copa del Rey, but a new champion will be crowned on Saturday. This historic tournament dates back 122 years to 1903. Despite its long history and the prominence of both clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid had only met seven times in the final prior to the upcoming match. Barcelona holds the record for most titles in the competition 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 previous final encounters, Barcelona has won three times, while Real Madrid has emerged victorious on four occasions.
Here`s a look back at their past meetings in the final:
1936: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
In Valencia, Real Madrid won the first final meeting between the two sides. Early goals from Eugenio Hilario and Simon Lecue gave Madrid a 2-0 lead within 12 minutes. Josep Escola scored for Barcelona, but it wasn`t enough to overcome Madrid`s advantage.
1968: Barcelona 1, Real Madrid 0
More than 30 years later, Barcelona got their revenge, this time at the Santiago Bernabéu. An early own goal by Fernando Zunzunegui just six minutes in proved decisive, securing the trophy for Barcelona in their rival`s stadium.
1974: Real Madrid 4, Barcelona 0
The wait for the next final meeting was much shorter, just six years, held at Atlético Madrid`s Vicente Calderón stadium. Santillana scored early (five minutes in), and Real Madrid added three more goals in the second half to complete a dominant victory.
1983: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 1
In Zaragoza, the two rivals continued to trade victories. The match was level for large parts, until Marcos Alonso scored a dramatic diving header in the 90th minute to clinch the trophy for Barcelona – an iconic moment in the rivalry`s history.
1990: Barcelona 2, Real Madrid 0
Returning to Mestalla in Valencia, Barcelona secured back-to-back final wins with another strong defensive performance. Guillermo Amor broke the deadlock in the 68th minute, and Julio Salinas added a second goal in the 90th minute to seal the victory.
2011: Real Madrid 1, Barcelona 0 after extra time
After a 21-year gap, the rivals met again. For the first time in a Copa del Rey final between them, the match went to extra time after a scoreless 90 minutes at Mestalla. Cristiano Ronaldo headed in a cross from Angel Di María to secure the trophy for José Mourinho`s side.
2014: Real Madrid 2, Barcelona 1
Three years later, they were back in Valencia for a final that featured one of the most memorable goals in Clásico history. Ángel Di María opened the scoring, but Gareth Bale`s incredible solo run down the wing, outpacing Marc Bartra, in the 85th minute secured the win for Real Madrid. Bartra had equalized for Barcelona earlier, but couldn`t stop Bale`s stunning late effort.
