Copa del Rey 1920: FC Barcelona's Fourth Title Triumph
The 1920 Copa del Rey marked the 20th edition of Spain's premier football cup competition. Spanning from March to May 1920, this tournament showcased the regional strength of early Spanish football, culminating in a high-stakes final that solidified the legacy of one of the sport's most iconic clubs.
The competition featured a regional representation system, where teams competed as champions or representatives of their respective areas. The 1920 edition saw a clash of titans from the Biscay, Gipuzkoa, Centre, South, Galicia, Asturias, and Catalonia regions.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Champions: FC Barcelona (their 4th title).
- Runners-up: Athletic Bilbao.
- Final Score: 2–0 in favor of FC Barcelona.
- Final Venue: El Molinón in Gijón.
- Total Matches: 9 games played.
- Goal Average: 27 total goals, averaging 3 per match.
Tournament Structure and Participants
The tournament brought together the elite teams of the era, representing the diverse footballing landscapes of Spain. The participating teams included:
- Athletic Bilbao (Biscay Region)
- Real Unión (Gipuzkoa Region)
- Madrid FC (Centre Region)
- Sevilla FC (South Region)
- Real Vigo Sporting (Galicia Region)
- Sporting de Gijón (Asturias Region)
- FC Barcelona (Catalonia Region)
The Path to the Final
The road to the championship was marked by intense two-legged ties. In the quarterfinals, Athletic Bilbao overcame Madrid FC with a convincing 4–1 victory in the second leg after a 1–1 draw. Meanwhile, Real Vigo Sporting secured their place in the semifinals by defeating Sporting de Gijón 4–1 in their second encounter.
Notably, FC Barcelona and Real Unión received byes into the semifinals. FC Barcelona's path was cleared after Sevilla FC withdrew from the competition following the rejection of their proposal to host both legs of their tie in Madrid.
The semifinals saw FC Barcelona battle Real Unión in a dramatic series. After a narrow 1–0 win in the first leg, the second leg ended in a thrilling 4–4 draw, allowing Barcelona to advance. On the other side of the bracket, Athletic Bilbao progressed to the final after defeating Real Vigo Sporting with a 2–1 win and a 1–0 victory.
The Grand Final
The final took place on May 2, 1920, at the El Molinón stadium in Gijón. In front of a crowd of 10,000 spectators, FC Barcelona faced off against Athletic Bilbao. The match remained tight until the closing stages, when goals from Martínez in the 70th minute and Alcántara in the 80th minute secured a 2–0 victory for the Catalan side.
This victory earned FC Barcelona their fourth Copa del Rey trophy, cementing their dominance in the early years of Spanish football.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Tournament Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | FC Barcelona |
| Runner-up | Athletic Bilbao |
| Final Score | 2–0 |
| Final Date | May 2, 1920 |
| Venue | El Molinón, Gijón |
| Total Goals | 27 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 1920 Copa del Rey?
FC Barcelona won the tournament, marking their fourth title in the competition's history.
Where was the final match played?
The final was held at the El Molinón stadium in Gijón, Spain.
How many goals were scored in total during the tournament?
A total of 27 goals were scored across the 9 matches played, resulting in an average of 3 goals per game.
Why did Sevilla FC withdraw from the competition?
Sevilla FC withdrew after their proposal to play both legs of their quarterfinal tie against FC Barcelona in Madrid was rejected.
Who were the goalscorers in the final?
The goals for FC Barcelona were scored by Martínez in the 70th minute and Alcántara in the 80th minute.