El Real Madrid secured their spot in the Copa del Rey 2024-25 final on Tuesday against Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabéu, marking their 41st final in the competition’s history. They will now face off against either FC Barcelona or Atlético de Madrid as they strive for their 21st title.
Throughout their journey, under Carlo Ancelotti’s guidance, Real Madrid defeated Sports Minera (0-5) in their debut in this tournament, in the round of sixteen, before facing a tough challenge in the quarter-finals against Celta RC. The match went into extra time where Endrick scored twice and Fede Valverde netted a goal (5).
Once again, the Madrid team had to work hard to overcome CD Leganés (2-3) in the quarter-finals, with a goal from academy graduate Gonzalo. In a thrilling encounter, Real Sociedad became their final victim, after a 0-1 victory at the Real Arena and a 4-4 draw at Bernabéu in extra time.
Two years after their last triumph, clinching the Cup against La Cartuja on May 6, 2023, the white team will return to a «KO» final, once again at Seville’s stadium. This final presents an opportunity for Real Madrid to solidify their position as the third most successful team in the competition.
With 20 titles – 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1917, 1934, 1936, 1946, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1989, 1989, 1993, 2014, and 2023 – Real Madrid trails only FC Barcelona, with 31 titles, and Athletic Club, with 24, in the all-time Copa del Rey winners list.
Moreover, they have reached the final 40 times previously, with a 50% win rate in the decisive match, only behind Barcelona, who have played in 42 finals. Real Madrid now awaits the winner between FC Barcelona or Atlético de Madrid, who have played seven and five Copa del Rey finals respectively. They have won five of their last final appearances, including victories in 2011 at Mestalla, with a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in extra time (1-0), and in 2014, where goals from Ángel di María and Gareth Bale neutralized Marc Bartra’s goal (2-1).
In historical matchups against Barcelona, Real Madrid emerged victorious in finals in 1936 (2-1) and 1974 (4-0), both held at Mestalla, but suffered defeats in 1968 (1-0) at Santiago Bernabéu, 1983 (2-1) at La Romarya, and 1990 (2-0) at Luis Casanova.
In encounters against Atlético de Madrid, Real Madrid secured a lone victory in the final, in a penalty shootout (0-0, 4-3 on penalties) in the 1975 Vicente Calderón edition. They faced defeats in the 1960s (3-1), 1961 (3-2), 1992 (2-0), and 2013 (2-1), all contested at Santiago Bernabéu.
