Top 5 Most Iconic Copa Del Rey Finals in History

Next Saturday will see the return of Spain’s most iconic football competition and will be the eighth hosting of El Classico in the showpiece event.

We look back to discover some of the most iconic fixtures across the tournaments history as we wait on the edge of our seats to what is going to be an exciting matchup.

5. Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid, 1990

Original Source: FC Barcelona

This victory capped off the last ever time in which Barcelona managed to be victorious when El Classico was played in the Copa Del Rey final.

This was also the game in which Johan Cruyff would win his first trophy as Barcelona coach

Real Madrid had spent the late eighties being one of the greatest sides in world football, with the likes of Emilio Butragueno and Manolo Sanchis leading the team to unbelievable success.

This 2-0 victory marked Barcelona finally knocking the Spanish giants down and began dominating themselves, winning four La Liga titles and their first ever European Cup (Champions League).

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

Original Source: futboleslaleche

Making it all the way to the final, Real Madrid reportedly applied to host the game at the Bernabeau as they were confident that they would secure their 18th Copa Del Rey on the 100th anniversary of the club.

However, even with a packed stadium of Madrid fans and the likes of Raul and Zidane in their locker, Deportivo La Coruna held strong and although Raul found the back of the net, the damage was already done and for the second time in the club's history, Deportivo hoisted the trophy.

3. Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona, 2014

It's 11 years since Gareth Bale left the field and did this in the Copa del Rey final 😱pic.twitter.com/0b9PRc22mG

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) April 16, 2025

Scoring one of the most iconic goals of the last decade, Welsh star Gareth Bale showcased his incredible speed as he ran the entire length of the Barcelona half, and some, before calmly slotting the ball through Pinto’s leg and putting Real Madrid ahead with just five minutes of game time left.

Winning the game, Real Madrid would become both the Copa del Rey winners as well as the Champions League winners.

2. Athletic Club 1 (4)-(2) 1 Mallorca, 2024

ATHLETIC CLUB WIN THE COPA DEL REY FOR THE 24TH TIME 🏆

But it's the first time they've won it in 𝟒𝟎 years 🦁 pic.twitter.com/37r1JVvqiE

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 6, 2024

The most recent victors of the Copa del Rey is a title belonging to Atheltic Bilbao, who are the second most decorated club in the competition behind Barcelona.

Beating out the likes of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, Atheltic Bilbao felt as though Mallorca would be a more straightforward match. They soon lived to regret that as they went behind in the 21st minute through Dani Rodriguez.

Oihan Sancet would find the back of the net moments into the second half and the game would wind all the way down to penalties where Bilbao would show off their confidence, with all their first four takers scoring their penalties.

After six consecutive defeats in Copa del Rey finals, Athletic Bilbao finally ended their long wait for silverware, clinching their first title in the competition in 40 years and sparking jubilant celebrations.

1. Athletic Club 1-0 Barcelona, 1984

Completing a difficult 1-0 victory, Athletic Club defeated Diego Maradona and his Barcelona team to secure their 23rd Copa del Rey Trophy.

But what makes this game the most iconic game in Copa del Rey history is what would follow after the referee had blown for full time.

The game was already intense, with referee Angel Martinez handing out seven yellow cards. Barcelona could not find an equaliser and as the game wound down, Maradona grew even more frustrated.

As the whistle blew, the Argentine was overcome by rage and began attacking the Bilbao players. Kneeing Miguel Sosa in the face and leaving him unconscious, Maradona would continue to assault anything wearing red and white.

After being ushered off the pitch by police, Maradona would bid farewell to Barcelona as he was sold to Napoli, avoiding a three-month ban given to him for instigating the violence.

Bilbao would get the celebration they deserved after defeating the giants that were Barcelona in the country’s capital.