Cup Classic: Barça is seeking revenge for the finals of 2011 and 2014

FC Barcelona advanced to the King's Cup final this Wednesday thanks to a narrow victory over Atlético de Madrid (0-1). A goal from Ferran Torres in the 27th minute was enough for the team managed by Hansi Flick to advance to the definition of the first major title of the season, next Saturday, April 26, against Real Madrid at La Cartuja.

Thus, the third Classic in a cup final this century is confirmed, and the eighth in the 121 editions of the tournament dedicated, since 1976, to His Majesty. The last two definitions between culés and 'merengues' were resolved in favor of the whites, both finals played at Mestalla. In 2011, Madrid defeated the team managed by Pep Guardiola (0-1), thanks to a solitary goal from Cristiano Ronaldo in extra time.

Three years later, both teams faced each other again at the Valencia stadium. Barça, with Gerardo 'Tata' Martino on the bench, lost 1-2 in a match where Marc Bartra was the protagonist. The center-back scored the equalizing goal for Barça, but was left exposed after losing a duel with Gareth Bale that ended with a sprint from the Welshman and a low shot past a Pinto who took too long to come out. Ángel Di María had given Carlo Ancelotti's team the lead in the first half.

The Flick Barça knows very well how to annihilate Madrid

Thus, Barça will seek to 'avenge' both defeats, although Madrid also arrives hungry for revenge after the two thrashings suffered this season against Hansi Flick's team. The Catalans crushed the whites on matchday 11 of La Liga (0-4) with two goals from Robert Lewandowski, another from Lamine Yamal, and one more from Raphinha at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Two and a half months later, Barça again thrashed Madrid, this time with a 'five-goal' performance in the Supercopa de España final (2-5). Raphinha (double), Lewandowski, Lamine, and Alejandro Balde scored the goals for Barça, while Kylian Mbappé and Rodrygo Goes scored for the 'merengues'. Thus, both teams have ample reasons to go all out for a new title against their eternal rival.

The 7 Barça-Madrid finals in the history of the King's Cup

FC Barcelona has played seven finals of the King's Cup against Real Madrid throughout history, according to the official records of the tournament. Below, I detail each of these finals with their results:

1. 1936 (President of the Republic Cup): Madrid FC 2 - 1 FC Barcelona: In this edition, played before the Spanish Civil War, Real Madrid (known as Madrid FC during the republican era) won with goals from Eugenio and Lecue, while Escolá scored for Barça.
2. 1968 (Generalissimo Cup): FC Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Madrid: Played at the Santiago Bernabéu, Barcelona won with an own goal from Zunzunegui, achieving the title at the rival's home.
3. 1974 (Generalissimo Cup): Real Madrid 4 - 0 FC Barcelona: At the Vicente Calderón, Real Madrid thrashed with goals from Santillana, Rubiñán, Aguilar, and Pirri, in a final dominated by the whites.
4. 1983 (King's Cup): FC Barcelona 2 - 1 Real Madrid: In Zaragoza, Barça took the victory with goals from Víctor Muñoz and Marcos Alonso, while Santillana scored for the 'merengue'.
5. 1990 (King's Cup): FC Barcelona 2 - 0 Real Madrid: In Valencia, Barcelona won with goals from Guillermo Amor and Julio Salinas, in a final that consolidated their dominance at that time.
6. 2011 (King's Cup): Real Madrid 1 - 0 FC Barcelona: At Mestalla, a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo in extra time gave the title to Real Madrid after a very contested match.
7. 2014 (King's Cup): Real Madrid 2 - 1 FC Barcelona: Also at Mestalla, Real Madrid won with goals from Ángel Di María and Gareth Bale, the latter with a memorable run; Marc Bartra had temporarily equalized for Barça.

⚽Summary of the Classics in the cup final:

• Finals played: 7
• Victories of FC Barcelona: 3 (1968, 1983, 1990)
• Victories of Real Madrid: 4 (1936, 1974, 2011, 2014)

These matchups reflect the intense rivalry between both clubs in the cup competition, with a slight historical favoritism for Real Madrid in direct finals (4-3). In this sense, the final on April 26 may allow Barça to equal the head-to-head against their eternal rival in cup finals, while also extending the lead in the historical record of the tournament. So far, the culés have 31 titles, 11 more than the 'White House'.