ElPais.com Reports: Seven Unforgettable Clásicos in Copa Finals
In a surprising turn of events, a Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid in a Copa final, like the one set to take place this Saturday at La Cartuja (22:00, La1), is a rare occurrence. Despite being two of the most successful teams in Spanish football, this will only be the eighth time they have faced each other in a Copa final, with Barcelona winning three and Real Madrid four, often in unexpected circumstances.
According to a report by ElPais.com, the tournament has had 120 champions, with Barcelona and Real Madrid participating in 76 finals between them. However, it wasn’t until 33 years after the tournament began that the first Clásico in a final took place, leaving a lasting impact on the competition.
The first Clásico in a Copa final was in 1936, when Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Mestalla. The match featured a memorable performance from Ricardo Zamora, also known as El Divino, who made a crucial save to deny Barcelona’s Escolà. As ElPais.com reported, Zamora’s save was described by the goalkeeper himself as “the best save of my life”. This iconic moment was not only a highlight of the match but also marked the end of Zamora’s career, as he had announced his retirement before the game.
ElPais.com also revealed that the 1936 final was not only notable for Zamora’s save but also for the circumstances that followed. The Spanish Civil War broke out just a month later, and Zamora, who had written articles in support of the Nationalist forces, was forced into hiding. He was eventually arrested, imprisoned, and nearly executed, but was saved by the poet Pedro Luis Gálvez.
The 1968 Copa final saw Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 1-0 at the Bernabéu, with Zunzunegui scoring an own goal in the seventh minute. However, the match was marred by violence, as ElPais.com reported, with the public throwing dozens of glass bottles onto the pitch in protest at the referee’s decisions.
In 1974, Real Madrid thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa final at the Calderón, with Barcelona’s Johan Cruyff unable to play due to foreign player restrictions. As ElPais.com noted, the match marked the end of Zoco’s career, as he decided to retire after the game.
The 1983 Copa final saw Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 2-1, with Marcos scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute. As reported by ElPais.com, the match was notable for the tension between Barcelona’s Diego Maradona and Bernd Schuster, who were unhappy with the club’s decision to prevent them from participating in a testimonial match for Paul Breitner.
In 1990, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 in the Copa final, with ElPais.com citing Johan Cruyff’s side as an example of a team that had overcome internal turmoil to achieve success. The match marked a turning point for Cruyff, who went on to lead Barcelona to four consecutive league titles.
The 2011 Copa final saw Real Madrid defeat Barcelona 1-0, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the winning goal in extra time. As ElPais.com reported, the match marked a rare victory for José Mourinho’s Real Madrid against Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola.
Finally, the 2014 Copa final saw Real Madrid defeat Barcelona 2-1, with Gareth Bale scoring a memorable goal after a long run down the left wing. According to ElPais.com, the match marked a significant moment in Bale’s career, as well as a rare Copa victory for Real Madrid.
Throughout their history, the Clásicos in Copa finals have provided some of the most unforgettable moments in Spanish football. As ElPais.com has reported, these matches have often been marked by drama, controversy, and exceptional performances, cementing their place in the annals of football history.
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