Real Madrid removes the ‘thorn’ of the Cup nine years later

SEVILLA, 7 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Real Madrid was proclaimed champion of the Copa del Rey this Saturday for the twentieth time in its history, adding to its extensive record, after beating CA Osasuna (2-1) in an exciting final at the La Cartuja Stadium, in Seville, a duel in which he removed the ‘thorn’ of a trophy that he had not raised since 2014, also with Carlo Ancelotti on the bench.

With ‘hit’ and with a devastating success in front of goal, the whites knew how to suffer and neutralize the intensity and drive of an Osasuna that believed until the end. Rodrygo Goes was the absolute protagonist with a double, along with an unstoppable Vinicius one on one and indomitable for the ‘rojilla’ defense for most of the match.

Carried away by more than 22,000 Madrid fans, the Meringues did not fail in the final at La Cartuja to lift their 20th Cup in the 40th game that the white entity has played for this national title. Real Madrid asserted its status as favorite with which it began the duel to recover a throne that it had not occupied since the 2023-2014 season. In addition, it was a trophy that was missing in the showcase of players like Vinicius, Rodrygo, Camavinga, Kroos or Ceballos, among others, who did have the Champions League in their record

The final played in that course was long gone, when they also raised the ‘Tenth’, a game in which they beat FC Barcelona in extra time with a goal from Welshman Gareth Bale after a tremendous ride down the left wing of Mestalla in which ‘ dried up’ the Barça center-back Marc Bartra.

Madrid’s experience and tenacity in this type of match was stronger than the ambition of Osasuna, who was unable to fulfill his dream in what was the game of his life. Almost a decade later, and also with Ancelotti on the bench, Real Madrid once again tastes glory in a tournament in which in recent seasons they have suffered disappointments and painful eliminations.

It is the third cup title for the meringues in this decade -after those achieved in 2011 and 2014-, a victory that fills morale and gives some peace of mind and calm to a team that in just three days will host Manchester City in the first leg of the semifinals of the Champions League, a competition in which he defends his title.

Once again, at a key moment, despite the bad dynamics in which the team arrived, with no options in a League from which they resigned weeks ago, Real Madrid put on its most effective version to recover the idyll with a competition that historically it has not been a priority.

However, there was no lack of motivation or the attitude that the meringues always put on the table when there is a title at stake, a trophy that completes all the possible list of winners for a European team in the last two years.

Real Madrid won its first Copa del Rey more than 100 years ago, in 1905 beating Athletic. There began a glorious cycle in which he lifted another three Cups in a row (2006, 2007 and 2008). In the following decade he only won one cup trophy (1917), despite playing in two other finals, while in the 1920s he had no prize.

The 1970s and 1980s were also successful in the cup field, with 6 titles (1970, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1982 and 1989), while, after the one harvested in 1993, the 21st century has not been as fruitful. From 2000 to 2010, the Cup showcase did not add any more trophy, despite playing two finals (2002 and 2004).

It was in 2011, with José Mourinho on the bench and against Barça in Mestalla, when the whites prevailed (0-1) with a goal from the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo in extra time, breaking a drought of almost three years without raising a goal. qualification. It was a turning point in a new Real Madrid that had chained two seasons behind an excellent FC Barcelona that fell in love in Europe under the leadership of Pep Guardiola.

Another three years passed until, again at the Mestalla, against the Catalans, Real Madrid was proclaimed Cup champion. This victory confirmed that the favorite ‘enemy’ of the Real Madrid team in the last round is FC Barcelona, ​​whom they have defeated on four occasions, after having also done so in 1936 (2-1) and in 1974 (4-0).