How many times have Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid played each other in the Copa del Rey?

Once again, Real Madrid did the unthinkable. 2-0 down at half-time against Villarreal in the Copa del Rey round of 16 clash, they looked to be on their way out of a competition that they haven’t done particularly well in in recent years, if we’re being honest.

But write Madrid off at your peril. Second-half goals from Vinícius Júnior, Eder Militão and Dani Ceballos turned around a feisty clash, in which tempers flared towards the end, with the first of three becoming embroiled in a touchline spat with veteran Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

Anyway, Real Madrid did what Real Madrid tend to do and progressed to the quarter-finals where they will meet…Atlético Madrid. Have a look here for news on the remaining three ties.

The most obvious thing to say about the Madrid derby is that its participants do not especially like each other, although in particular from the Atleti side. Los Blancos have been inherently more successful throughout their history – which undoubtedly fuels the dislike – and even during Atlético Madrid’s superb resurgence under Diego Simeone in the last dozen years or so, their against-the-odds achievements have been somewhat overshadowed by their rivals’ Champions League exploits.

How many times have Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid played each other?

The upcoming Copa del Rey tie, which will be played to a finish at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on 24, 25 or 26 January, will be the 231st meeting between the teams in all competitions. Real Madrid have won almost exactly half (114) of the previous 230 - compared to 57 for Atlético - and have lost only one of their last 10 games against their city rivals.

How many times have Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid met in the Copa del Rey?

The teams have faced each other on 42 occasions in the Copa del Rey, with Real Madrid winning 17 times, Atlético Madrid coming out on top on 11 occasions and 14 draws.

How many times have Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid met in the Copa del Rey final?

If history is anything to go by, Atlético Madrid would much rather meet Real Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey than at any other stage of the competition. There has been a Madrid derby in the final on five occasions and Atleti have come out on top four times (1960, 1961, 1992 and 2013). All four finals won by Los Colchoneros were played at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid’s home ground. The only time Madrid have won a Copa del Rey final against Atlético was in 1975 when they won – bizarrely enough – at Estadio Vicente Calderón, Atleti’s former home, in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw.

When was the last time Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid played in the Copa del Rey?

The last time the teams met in the Copa del Rey came back in the 2014-15 season, when the two-leg format was still in use, with Atlético Madrid winning 4-2 on aggregate in the round of 16. Second-half goals from Raúl García and Jose Giménez led Atleti to a 2-0 home win in the first leg, which was followed by a 2-2 draw at the Bernabéu. Simeone’s men went on to lose to eventual winners Barcelona in the next round.