On a crisp spring evening in 1975, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid faced off in the Copa de España final, a clash that would become etched in Spanish football lore.
The match ended goalless after extra time, forcing the contest to be decided by a penalty shootout that saw Real Madrid edge out their rivals 4‑3.
The Road to the Final
Los Blancos had navigated a tough quarter‑final tie against Las Palmas, overturning a four‑goal deficit to win 4‑0 on aggregate, a performance that underscored their resilience.
In the semi‑final, they dispatched Barcelona with a tactical masterclass, setting up a Madrid derby showdown that would be remembered for its tension and drama.
At the helm was Miljan Miljanic, the Serbian tactician whose pragmatic approach blended solid defence with swift counter‑attacks, guiding the squad to a domestic double that season.
The penalty takers for Real Madrid — Amancio, Pirri, Rubiñán and Aguilar — each converted their spot‑kicks, while the final spot‑kick by Aguilar sealed the victory.
The triumph was more than a trophy; it symbolised a period of dominance for the club, as the same squad also lifted the La Liga crown, completing a historic double that would be celebrated for decades.