The media in Barcelona, Madrid, the United States and the UK weigh in on the Catalans’ newest achievement
With a thrilling, 2–0 extra-time victory over Sevilla on Sunday night, FC Barcelona have written a new page in the football history books, winning their second Copa del Rey in a row and 28th all-time, the most of any team. Barça have now won four of the last eight editions, further reaffirming their hegemony in this competition.
This newest piece of silverware came after the Catalans played a man down for over an hour and were without leading goal scorer Luis Suárez down the stretch after he was injured stretching to reach a pass.
Newspapers in Catalonia heaped praise on their local heroes on Monday morning.
In fact, the headline in Sport was a one-word “Heroes.” Mundo Deportivo described the feat as “epic,” calling the two-trophy haul a “magic double.”
In Madrid, Marca extolled “King Iniesta,” after the Barça midfielder who was named MVP of the final.
The international media also weighed in on FC Barcelona’s latest championship. Here are the highlights from around the world:
United States
The Yahoo! Sports soccer blog ran the headline, “Magical Messi leads Barcelona past Sevilla in Copa del Rey final”
ESPN FC’s Graham Hunter gave credit where credit was due in his take: “Luis Enrique’s handling of Barcelona’s dilemmas sealed Copa del Rey crown.”
The New York Times made clear the domestic double more than makes up for their unexpected Champions League exit: “And while two Madrid teams will face off next weekend in the Champions League final — Real vs. Atlético — Barcelona’s victory Sunday allowed the Catalan club to reaffirm its dominance over Spanish soccer.”
United Kingdom
The Guardian’s lead meshed the game’s climax with a dash of historical perspective: “The Copa del Rey final was into extra time and still nothing could separate the league champions from the Europa League winners when Lionel Messi played the most perfect of passes and Jordi Alba scored the goal that took Barcelona towards the double. As elated and exhausted bodies piled up in the corner of the pitch, supporters in yellow, red and blue celebrated at the other, south end of the Vicente Calderón. Their team were 1-0 up against Sevilla and on course to become the first side to win the double two years in a row for more than 60 years.”
The Daily Mail focused on the evening’s goal scorers and the incredible head coaching job in the face of adversity: “Jordi Alba and Neymar help Luis Enrique’s side complete domestic double with Copa del Rey win.”