Madrid and Barça spurred on by Copa history

With three victories apiece in Copa del Rey finals between the clubs, Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona will be eager to take the bragging rights in their seventh showpiece meeting at the Mestalla on Wednesday. UEFA.com recalls the past Clásico encounters on the tournament's big occasion. RELATED ITEMS Madrid leapfrog Barça Mascherano changes focus Madrid up for Bayern Relief for Casillas, Ramos Barcelona into final Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona – 21 June 1936 The Mestalla hosted the first Copa del Rey final between the sides just a month before the start of the Spanish Civil War. Goals from Madrid forwards Eugenio Hilario and Simón Lecue – the club's record signing at the time – had the Blancos 2-0 in front inside 12 minutes before Josep Escolá reduced the deficit shortly before the half-hour. Escolá was denied a late equaliser after a spectacular save from legendary goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora – nicknamed 'The Divine One' – on his last Madrid appearance before moving to OGC Nice. Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona – 11 July 1968 A sixth-minute own goal by Madrid's Fernando Zunzunegui – who shanked Joaquim Rife's centre from the left past goalkeeper Antonio Betancort – decided the 1968 showpiece held at the Santiago Bernabéu. After a contest noted for its few chances for either team, Barcelona striker José Antonio Zaldúa said: "We were the stronger side and deserved to win." Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid – 29 June 1974 Rinus Michel's Liga champions went into the Vicente Calderón final as favourites, especially having enjoyed a 5-0 victory away to Madrid several months before. Santillana's fifth-minute opener, however, stunned the Catalans who were second-best on the day as Real exacted revenge with second-half goals from Benito Rubiñán, Ico Aguilar and Pirri. "Losing that Liga game meant we couldn't afford to let a chance to beat Barcelona in the final slip by," Rubiñán said. "We went onto the pitch convinced we could achieve something special that day." Barcelona 2-1 Real Madrid – 4 June 1983 The Blaugrana left it late to claim their 20th Copa del Rey, Marcos Alonso's diving header from Julio Alberto's cross settling matters in the dying seconds at Real Zaragoza's La Romareda stadium. "I was fortunate enough to score in the last minute, and in truth it was a beautiful goal," Alonso said after Santillana had earlier cancelled out Víctor's strike for the eventual winners. "Our standout players were Diego Maradona and Bernd Schuster, but most of the team were internationals," the winger said. Barcelona 2-0 Real Madrid – 5 April 1990 This Mestalla tussle between the dominant force of Madrid's 'Quinta del Buitre' side – winners of five successive Liga titles – and Johan Cruyff's emerging 'Dream Team' went the way of the latter, with Guillermo Amor and Julio Salinas netting in the second half. "That was a match we finished with ten men after [Fernando] Hierro's sending-off," Madrid keeper Paco Buyo recalled. "That left us short at the back and in the end it cost us." Real Madrid 1-0 Barcelona – 20 April 2011 José Mourinho's charges emerged victorious in the third of five Clásico encounters in the 2010/11 campaign after Cristiano Ronaldo's extra-time header decided an intense tactical duel at the Mestalla. "It's a magical night for all of us, players and supporters," an exultant Sergio Ramos said. "This was my first Copa del Rey win and I certainly hope it won't be the last."