Barcelona and Real Madrid will face each other in the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2014, setting up another chapter in their legendary rivalry.
Barcelona secured their place in the final with a 1-0 away victory over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their semifinal matchup on April 3, with Spanish winger Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 27th minute. The first leg had ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw.
Real Madrid advanced to the final after drawing 4-4 with Real Sociedad, progressing on aggregate thanks to their 1-0 victory in the first leg.
This will mark the eighth Copa del Rey final between these fierce rivals. Real Madrid has prevailed four times, including their most recent final meeting in 2014 when they won 2-1, while Barcelona has claimed victory three times. Five of these finals took place in the previous century, with Real Madrid winning both of their 21st-century final encounters in 2011 and 2014.
Recent form favors Barcelona, who dominated both meetings with Real Madrid this season – winning 4-0 at Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga in October and securing a commanding 5-2 victory in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia in January.
Both clubs remain in contention for three trophies this season. Barcelona currently leads La Liga with 66 points, three ahead of Real Madrid and six clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid with nine games remaining. Both teams have also advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals, with Real Madrid facing Arsenal in London while Barcelona hosts Borussia Dortmund.
The Copa del Rey final will take place at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville on April 26. Barcelona holds the record for most Copa del Rey titles with 31 trophies, while Real Madrid has claimed the cup 20 times.
