The King of the Cup: 11 Finals and 7 Titles in the Last 17 Years for FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona's victory against Atlético de Madrid (0-1) allowed the team led by Hansi Flick to advance to a new Cup final, the first since 2021 and the eleventh in the last 17 editions of the tournament. The Catalans arrive undefeated to the final against Real Madrid, who eliminated Real Sociedad on Tuesday, as usual, amidst controversy over refereeing assistance.

In total, Barça has 4 victories and 1 draw, with a record of 19 goals for and 5 against. The azulgrana team left behind Barbastro (0-4), Betis (5-1), Valencia (5-0), and Atlético (5-4 on aggregate) to play their 43rd final in the history of a tournament they are the clear record holders of (31 titles), followed by Athletic Club (24). Madrid, for its part, remains third with 20 titles, the last of which was achieved in 2023.

On Wednesday, a goal from Ferran Torres, the team's top scorer in the tournament with 5 goals (Julián Álvarez still leads the scoring chart with 6), was enough for Barça to overcome a very tough tie, which became more complicated than expected after the first leg draw in Montjuïc (4-4). Now, the Catalans will seek their eighth title this century, where the Catalan dominance in the Cup has intensified. 

Barça has won 7 of the last 16 editions of the Cup

Since 2009, Barcelona has won 7 titles in the Cup. Before the final of the 2008-09 season in Mestalla, Barça (24) and Athletic (23) were neck and neck in the tournament's history. The team led by Pep Guardiola decisively defeated the Basques (4-1), taking the first step towards the treble that year. The Catalans would lift the title again in 2012 in the farewell of the Santpedor coach from the azulgrana bench, again against the 'lions', but at the Vicente Calderón (3-0).

Both teams faced each other again in 2015, with a azulgrana victory of 3-1 at Camp Nou, heading towards another treble under Luis Enrique. With the Asturian, the team won three consecutive Cups (2016 against Sevilla and 2017 against Alavés), while Ernesto Valverde also managed to lift His Majesty's trophy in his first season (2017-18, thrashing Sevilla).

After that, Barça had to wait until 2021 to lift their 31st King's Cup, again against Athletic (4-0) in the venue that, since that year, hosts the decisive stage of the tournament (La Cartuja). Ronald Koeman was the azulgrana coach at that time. In total, there are 11 finals in 17 seasons, with a record of 7 victories and 3 defeats (two against Madrid, one against Valencia), awaiting what will happen on April 26.

The last 10 finals of Barça in the King's Cup

1. FC Barcelona 4-1 Athletic Club. 2008-09 season (in Mestalla).
2. Real Madrid 1-0 FC Barcelona. 2010-11 season (in Mestalla).
3. FC Barcelona 3-0 Athletic Club. 2011-12 season (at Vicente Calderón).
4. FC Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid. 2013-14 season (in Mestalla).
5. FC Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Club. 2014-15 season (in Camp Nou).
6. FC Barcelona 2-0 Sevilla. 2015-16 season (at Vicente Calderón).
7. FC Barcelona 3-1 Alavés. 2016-17 (at Vicente Calderón).
8. FC Barcelona 5-0 Sevilla. 2017-18 season (at Metropolitano de Madrid).
9. Valencia 2-1 FC Barcelona. 2018-19 season (at Benito Villamarín).
10. FC Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Club. 2020-21 season (at La Cartuja).