Barcelona and Real Madrid are set to clash in a highly anticipated final of the Copa del Rey on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 17:00 (Brasilia time) at the Estádio Olímpico de La Cartuja in Seville. This match marks the eighth time these two arch-rivals have met in the final of this prestigious tournament, with Real Madrid leading the series with four victories to Barcelona's three.
The match will be broadcast live on ESPN and available for streaming on Disney+. Fans around the world are eagerly tuning in as both teams aim to secure another trophy in their storied rivalry.
Barcelona, the tournament's most successful club with 31 titles, is looking to add a 32nd trophy to its collection. The Catalan giants reached the final after a series of impressive performances, notably eliminating Atlético de Madrid in the semifinals with a thrilling aggregate score of 5-4. Their journey to the final included a dominant 4-0 win over Barbastro in the third round, a 5-1 victory against Betis in the round of 16, and a resounding 5-0 triumph over Valencia in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid is chasing its 20th Copa del Rey title. The team, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, made it to the final after a nail-biting semifinal against Real Sociedad, winning 5-4 on aggregate. Their cup run has also seen them dispatch Deportivo Minera 5-0 in the third round, followed by a 5-2 victory over Celta in the round of 16, and a 3-2 win against Leganés in the quarterfinals.
For this crucial match, both teams face notable absences. Barcelona will be without their star striker Robert Lewandowski, who is sidelined with an injury. Other players missing for the Catalans include Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen. In contrast, Real Madrid is also dealing with injuries, as Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Éder Militão will not be available for selection.
In a surprising tactical decision, Ancelotti has opted to bench Kylian Mbappé, who has been a key player for the team throughout the season. Instead, the coach has chosen to strengthen the midfield, deploying Federico Valverde as a central midfielder alongside Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, and Jude Bellingham. The starting lineup for Real Madrid will feature Thibaut Courtois in goal, with Lucas Vázquez, Antonio Rüdiger, and Ferland Mendy in defense, and Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo leading the attack.
Barcelona's lineup will include Wojciech Szczesny as the goalkeeper, with Jules Koundé, Iñigo Martínez, and Gerard Martín forming the backline. Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Dani Olmo will anchor the midfield, while Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, and Raphinha will be tasked with providing the attacking threat.
Historically, the Copa del Rey final has been a single-match showdown, with the winner determined on the day. The last time these two teams met in the final was during the 2013/14 season, where Real Madrid triumphed 2-1. This time, both teams will be eager to claim victory and etch their names further into the tournament's history.
As the match approaches, excitement is palpable among fans and players alike. Barcelona, having outperformed Real Madrid in their previous two encounters this season—winning 4-0 in La Liga and 5-2 in the Supercopa—will be looking to continue their dominance. However, Real Madrid, with its rich history and experience in knockout matches, will not go down without a fight.
With both teams boasting talented rosters and passionate fanbases, this final promises to be a thrilling encounter filled with intensity, drama, and the high stakes that come with El Clásico. As the clock ticks down to kickoff, all eyes will be on the Estádio Olímpico de La Cartuja, where history awaits.
