20 April 2011 - Maybe This Is Why They Don't Win It More Often

On 20 April 2011, Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey for the first time in eighteen years, then proceeded to destroy it by dropping it in the path of their parade bus.  

Before then, Madrid's last tournament title came in 1993, when they beat Real Zaragoza and they last appeared in a final in 2004 (when they lost to Zaragoza).

They faced El Clásico rivals Barcelona in the 2011 final, having gone winless against them in the league, with a 1-1 home draw and a crushing 5-0 away loss. The two teams were also scheduled to meet one week later in the Champions League semifinals. Playing before a crowd of 55,000 at Valencia's Estadio Mestalla, the final remained scoreless through the first 90 minutes, due largely to the stellar play of of the two goalkeepers, Madrid's Iker Casillas and Barca's José Pinto. But in the first period of extra time, Madrid forward Ángel di María sent in a cross for his teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, to head home in the 105th minute for the day's only goal.

Unfortunately for Real Madrid, they did not get long to savor the cup. As the team rode an open-topped bus into Madrid to celebrate the win, with the parade extending into the early hours of the next morning, center back Sergio Ramos dropped the trophy over the front end of the bus. It landed directly in front of the moving bus, which proceeded to run over the cup.

The trophy--the eleventh one in Copa del Rey history--shattered into several pieces, but Madrid soon received a replacement to display at their stadium.

11 November 2008 - Real Madrid Gets Romo'd

On 11 November 2008, Spanish third division side Real Unión Club de Irún lost away to Real Madrid, 3-4, in the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey. Thanks to their 3-2 win in the first leg, however, Irún advanced on an aggregate 6-6 score with a 3-2 advantage in away goals.

Irún had already been tested in the cup with early-round wins over CD Lugo (0-3), UE Sant Andreu (2-1), and Barakaldo CF (2-1). Real Madrid, on the other hand, was playing their first match of the tournament, entering the competition in the Fourth Round.

The match was even at 2-2 in the second half, when Real Madrid substitute Alberto Bueno put his team ahead with a goal in the 69th minute. Real Madrid captain Raúl appeared to secure the Blancos' advancement with an 85th-minute strike--his third of the match--but a defensive miscue gave Irún another chance and midfielder Arangoa Eneko Romo scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute.

It was the first time in Real Madrid's history that they were eliminated by a third division side at home. History soon repeated itself, however, as the Blancos were eliminated from the 2009-10 Copa del Rey in the Fourth Round by third division side AD Alcorcón.

Irún's moment of glory was fleeting, as they were eliminated by Real Betis in the Fifth Round, 2-0. In 2009, they were knocked out in the Second Round by second division side RC Celta de Vigo, 2-1.

20 April 2011 - Maybe This Is Why They Don't Win It More Often

On 20 April 2011, Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey for the first time in eighteen years, then proceeded to destroy it by dropping it in the path of their parade bus. 

Before then, Madrid's last tournament title came in 1993, when they beat Real Zaragoza and they last appeared in a final in 2004 (when they lost to Zaragoza).

They faced El Clásico rivals Barcelona in the 2011 final, having gone winless against them in the league, with a 1-1 home draw and a crushing 5-0 away loss. The two teams were also scheduled to meet one week later in the Champions League semifinals. Playing before a crowd of 55,000 at Valencia's Estadio Mestalla, the final remained scoreless through the first 90 minutes, due largely to the stellar play of of the two goalkeepers, Madrid's Iker Casillas and Barca's José Pinto. But in the first period of extra time, Madrid forward Ángel di María sent in a cross for his teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, to head home in the 105th minute for the day's only goal.

Unfortunately for Real Madrid, they did not get long to savor the cup. As the team rode an open-topped bus into Madrid to celebrate the win, with the parade extending into the early hours of the next morning, center back Sergio Ramos dropped the trophy over the front end of the bus. It landed directly in front of the moving bus, which proceeded to run over the cup.

The trophy--the eleventh one in Copa del Rey history--shattered into several pieces, but Madrid soon received a replacement to display at their stadium.

 

11 November 2008 - Real Madrid Gets Romo'd

On 11 November 2008, Spanish third division side Real Unión Club de Irún lost away to Real Madrid, 3-4, in the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey. Thanks to their 3-2 win in the first leg, however, Irún advanced on an aggregate 6-6 score with a 3-2 advantage in away goals.

Irún had already been tested in the cup with early-round wins over CD Lugo (0-3), UE Sant Andreu (2-1), and Barakaldo CF (2-1). Real Madrid, on the other hand, was playing their first match of the tournament, entering the competition in the Fourth Round.

The match was even at 2-2 in the second half, when Real Madrid substitute Alberto Bueno put his team ahead with a goal in the 69th minute. Real Madrid captain Raúl appeared to secure the Blancos' advancement with an 85th-minute strike--his third of the match--but a defensive miscue gave Irún another chance and midfielder Arangoa Eneko Romo scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute.

It was the first time in Real Madrid's history that they were eliminated by a third division side at home. History soon repeated itself, however, as the Blancos were eliminated from the 2009-10 Copa del Rey in the Fourth Round by third division side AD Alcorcón.

Irún's moment of glory was fleeting, as they were eliminated by Real Betis in the Fifth Round, 2-0. In 2009, they were knocked out in the Second Round by second division side RC Celta de Vigo, 2-1.