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Copa del Rey | Final
Apr 16, 2014 at 8.30pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

1-2

Bartra (69')
FT(HT: 0-1)
di Maria (11'), Bale (85')

Top five Copa del Rey finals

Ahead of Barcelona vs. Real Madrid this evening, Sports Mole selects five of the most memorable Copa del Rey finals from recent times.

This evening, El Clasico rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid will meet in the Mestalla, with the victor lifting the Copa del Rey trophy.

Ahead of that encounter, Sports Mole has picked out five of the most memorable Spanish Cup final contests in recent memory.

1. Atletico Madrid 2-0 Real Madrid, 1992

During the early 1990s, Atletico were the dominant force in the Spanish capital. They proved as much in Real's own backyard during the 1992 final, running out 2-0 victors in the Bernabeu. The identity of the first goalscorer will have hurt Los Blancos as their former star Bernd Schuster curled a shot into the top corner of the net. Then, in the 29th minute, Portuguese winger Paulo Futre sped away from the Real defence, before powering the ball beyond Francisco Buyo.

2. Barcelona 3-2 Real Betis, 1997

Having not won the trophy since 1990, Barca required extra time to get the better of Betis in Madrid. In what was an entertaining contest, Alfonso opened the scoring for Betis in the 11th minute, but that was soon cancelled out by Barca winger Luis Figo. As the match drew to a close, future Ipswich Town player Finidi George thought that he had won the cup for Betis, only for Juan Antonio Pizzi to draw the Catalans level with a downward header. It was left to Figo to have the final in the 114th minute as he capitalised on Betis's failure to clear their lines to score from close range.

3. Deportivo La Coruna 2-1 Real Madrid, 2002

The reports claimed that Real applied to host this Copa del Rey final to mark their 100th anniversary. Everything went to plan until the showpiece event when they were outclassed by Deportivo, who had not won the competition since 1995. Sergio scored the game's opening goal thanks to an individual effort in the sixth minute, before Diego Tristan doubled their advantage from close range. Raul reduced the arrears after the restart, but Depor held firm.

4. Real Madrid 2-3 Real Zaragoza, 2004

This is the game that is viewed by many as the start of the end of the Galactico era at Madrid. A side containing the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Figo and Raul was expected to be too strong for Zaragoza and when David Beckham curled them in front in the 24th minute, the proceedings appeared to be going with the script. However, by the break, goals from Savio and David Villa put unfancied Zaragoza into the lead. After the restart, a low Roberto Carlos strike from distance forced extra time, during which substitute Luciano Galletti bounced in the winning goal for Zaragoza.

5. Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid, 2013

The Madrid rivals had not met at this stage of the competition since Atletico's victory in 1992, but they certainly made up for lost time inside the Bernabeu. In what was an ill-tempered affair, Cristiano Ronaldo scored first for Real, but that lead was soon eradicated by Diego Costa. Ronaldo and his coach Jose Mourinho were later red-carded, as was Atletico captain Gabi. If that wasn't enough, the visitors found the net in extra-time thanks to defender Miranda, earning Atletico their first victory over their neighbours in 25 attempts, as well as the trophy.

Atletico Madrid players celebrate winning the Copa del Rey against Real Madrid on May 17, 2013.© Getty Images

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