Impossible! Real Madrid vs Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final?
In the 1979-80 season, Real Madrid faced its reserve team, RM Castilla, in the Copa del Rey final.
Although in many countries, it would be impossible for a team to face itself in the same competition, the truth is that in Spain and other European countries, this was possible. In football, a reserve team is a team composed of players under contract to a club but who do not normally play in matches for the first team. In some countries (like Spain), reserve or development teams compete in different divisions from the first teams.
FC Barcelona "B" is the reserve team of FC Barcelona
In Spain, for example, a reserve team cannot play in the same category as the first team. For example, it would be impossible for FC Barcelona "B" to play in the first division alongside its older brother, FC Barcelona. The same goes for Real Madrid Castilla, the younger brother of Real Madrid. However, this rule did not prevent these teams from participating in the Copa del Rey. This was the case until 1990/91 when the Reserve Teams were excluded from participating in the Spanish national tournament.
But before that rule was created, something special happened in the 1979-80 Copa del Rey, something that happened only once in history: Real Madrid faced Real Madrid. Actually, Real Madrid faced their reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla in the Copa del Rey final. That was a glorious and historic season for the younger white brother. Reaching the final of such an important tournament, having defeated top-class teams, was an achievement that would hardly be repeated. In the Round of 16, RM Castilla beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on aggregate. Then, in the quarterfinals, they beat Real Sociedad 3-2, a team that would finish second in the Spanish League and that would become champions the following season.
Real Madrid Castilla in the 1979/1980 season
In the semifinals, their rival was Sporting de Gijón, a team that is currently a weak team in the second division, but that year, it was one of the best in Spain. Despite this, RM Castilla lost 2-0 in the first leg but then beat them 4-1 at the Bernabéu Stadium. All the Madrid fans were stunned by what their reserve team was doing. Reaching the Copa del Rey final was an unprecedented achievement. And the final of that tournament could not have been better, as RM Castilla's opponents were none other than Real Madrid.
Previously, Real Madrid had eliminated Atlético Madrid on penalties and managed to reach the Copa del Rey final for the second time in a row, after losing to Valencia in the last edition. Of course, the 1979-80 Copa del Rey final was played at the Bernabéu Stadium in front of a huge crowd. Everyone wanted Real Madrid to win, but at the same time, they were honored by what their reserve team had done. Despite the expectations of a great match, it was an easy final for Real Madrid as they won 6-1 with 2 goals from Juanito, a goal from Santillana, Andrés Sabido, Vicente del Bosque, and García Hernández. RM Castilla's goal was scored by Ricardo Álvarez.
Real Madrid was the champion of the Copa del Rey 1979/1980
Because Real Madrid had already qualified for the UEFA Champions League the following season, the runner-up in the Copa del Rey, in this case, RM Castilla, was awarded a place in the 1980-81 European Cup Winners' Cup. In those days, this was a different tournament in which 34 teams participated. In the end, RM Castilla lost in the first round against West Ham United 6-4 on aggregate after playing extra time. Nevertheless, it was the first and only time that a reserve team played in a European competition.
Both "Real Madrid" posed next to the Copa del Rey trophy
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