Barcelona messed up a two-goal lead in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey yesterday against Atlético Madrid after they happened to snatch back the lead following the two early goals in the first 10 minutes.
In the presence of over 40k spectators, both teams provided an entertaining contest in an 8-goal thrilling match.
With the match ending in a draw, the Catalan side hopes to advance to the competition’s final, ready to face either Real Madrid or Real Sociedad following this 75-year record.
Barcelona Aims for Qualification
Barcelona are hoping to continue their impressive Copa del Rey record after drawing the first leg in the competition.
Barcelona have won more Copa del Rey titles than any other team, with 31 in total. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid have won 24 times and qualified more than they have been eliminated from the competition.
Data shows that in the cup competition, the Blaugrana have three qualifications in their favour and two eliminations in the semi-finals in history after drawing at home in the same round.
In favor of qualifications, back in 2019 against Real Madrid, after the first leg which ended 1-1 at the Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona went on to win the tie 4-1 on aggregate and secure qualification for the final.
Also in 1951 and 1974, Barcelona found themselves in this situation after drawing at home to Athletic Club and Atlético de Madrid, respectively. Surprisingly, the Catalan club won 1-2 away from home to qualify for the final. Fifty-one years have passed since that precedent.
The other side of the coin, in the form of elimination, corresponds to 1966 and 2008, the first against Zaragoza and the other against Valencia. These are precedents in which both teams became champions after beating Barça in the semi-finals.
How this will take shape when Barcelona travels to Madrid on April 2 remains to be seen. Will the Blaugrana make it four qualifications or three eliminations?
