There is quite a big gap between Barcelona and Real Madrid in terms of Copa del Rey success. The Catalans lead the way with 25 Spanish cups in their trophy room whereas Los Blancos come in 3rd position behind Athletic Bilbao.
Real Madrid have actually suffered more disappointments in Copa del Rey finals than any other team. They had to settle for a runner-up finish at 19 occasions whereas they lifted the title 17 times. The last of their Copa del Rey successes occurred way back in 1993 when they triumphed 2-0 over Real Zaragoza.
Compare the Spanish giants’ statistics with Barcelona in the cup and you will understand why Real Madrid’s cry to claim victory in Wednesday’s 2011 Copa del Rey final can be likened to the desire of hungry lions. In fact, Los Blancos failed to close the gap against rivals Barcelona at 3 different occasions out of 5 Copa del Rey finals where both teams had to affront each other.
1936, 1968, 1974, 1983 and 1990–these are the years that saw Barcelona and Real Madrid competing in honour of the Spanish cup trophy. From one date to another, Live Soccer TV takes you all the way back to what happened the 5 Copa del Rey finals which featured Spain’s biggest rivals. Join us for the trip as we anxiously await Wednesday’s titanic cup final–Barcelona vs Real Madrid!
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1936 Copa Del Rey Final–Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
Los Blancos were proclaimed Copa del Rey winners for the 7th time in their history after the Catalans couldn’t avoid losing 2-1 in the final. Madrid’s run in the Cup saw them defeat A. Gexto in the Round of 16.
Both teams had actually drawn 3-3 over their two-legged tie so a tiebreaker was needed. The Spanish giants affirmed their authority over A. Gexto through a 6-1 victory.
In the quarterfinals of the 1936 Copa del Rey, Real Madrid (then named ‘Madrid FC’) edged 3-1 past Athletic Bilbao before trouncing Hercules 8-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals. FC Barcelona, meanwhile, might have felt disgusted to lose the tournament after enjoying such a great campaign.
The Catalans started with a 4-0 defeat of Sporting Gijon in the Round of 16; no tiebreaker needed to separate the two teams. Next up, they met RCD Espanyol in the quarter-finals and turned the tables around after losing the first leg 2-1. A 3-0 win was enough to see Barcelona through on a 4-2 aggregate score line.
The semi-finals of the 1936 Copa del Rey was once again a story of a fight back. CA Osasuna had stunned Barcelona 4-2 but the Blaugrana gave their opponents a real punch in the face with an emphatic 7-1 victory to reach the final of the Copa del Rey that year. But no miracle happened against eventual winners Madrid FC...
1968 Copa Del Rey Final–Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona Highlights
In 1968, Barcelona enjoyed a sweet revenge on their bitter rivals. A lone goal settled matters for the Catalans. In fact, it was an own goal! It gifted Barca their 16th Copa del Rey trophy whereas Real Madrid were stuck at trophy number10.
Incredibly, it meant that Barcelona had come out stronger than Los Blancos after their 1936 cup final loss. Between 1936 and 1968, the Catalans had actually won the competition 7 times whereas Real Madrid tasted glory only 3 times.
Live Soccer TV shares interesting old images with you. Check the video highlights of the 1968 Copa del Rey final below:
1974 Copa Del Rey Final–Real Madrid 4-0 Barcelona Highlights
A better approach resulted in a better score line; Real Madrid trounced Barcelona 4-0 in the 1974 Copa del Rey final. This was quite a way for Los Blancos to get over their 1968 Spanish Cup final fiasco and their 5-0 defeat in the hands of Barca during the 1973-1974 season.
5-0 Clasico heroes Johan Cruyff and Sotil were absent from the 1974 Copa del Rey final due to rules affecting foreign players at that time. Real Madrid took full advantage of Barca’s crucial exclusions as Francisco Aguilar, Santillana, Pirri and Benito Rubinan all found the back of the net. Watch video highlights below:
1983 Copa Del Rey Final–Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid Highlights
When Real Madrid hammered Barcelona 4-0 in the 1974, did they know that the victory would mark their last against Barcelona in a Copa del Rey final? Los Blancos’ 2-1 defeat in 1983 happened during the days of Diego Maradona as a Barcelona player. Live Soccer TV shows you Barcelona vs Real Madrid highlights as it happened in the 1983 Spanish Cup final:
1990 Copa Del Rey Final–Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid Highlights
Amor and Salinas scored a goal each for Barcelona as the 1990 Copa del Rey trophy landed in Catalonia. Real Madrid were second best to their rivals that day. Here are the latest Barcelona vs Real Madrid highlights of a Copa del Rey final. Watch the video below:
Barcelona vs Real Madrid–What Will The 2011 Copa Del Rey Final Bring?
Coincidentally, the last Barcelona-Real Madrid meeting in the Copa del Rey final was staged at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia. On Wednesday, Barca and Real will affront each other at the same venue. Will the 2-0 score line fall again? Will the spirit of the 1974 Copa del Rey final guide Real Madrid to repeat their feat of beating Barcelona 4-0 after suffering a 5-0 defeat in the league?
Follow Barcelona vs Real Madrid LIVE on Live Soccer TV. It's the 2011 Copa del Rey final on Wednesday, April 20!
