Spanish Women's Cup
The Copa de la Reina, or Spanish Women's Cup, is the premier knockout competition in Spanish women's football, run by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). It pits the nation's top women's clubs against each other in a thrilling chase for silverware, highlighting the surge in women's football popularity across Spain, with packed stadiums and massive online audiences.
History and foundation
Launched in 1983, Real Madrid claimed the inaugural title by defeating Levante UD in the final. The 1980s and 1990s saw Catalan dominance from Barcelona and Espanyol. A notable controversy hit in 1993 when Levante faced match-fixing allegations, leading to disqualification. Barcelona has ruled since the 2010s, securing 10 straight titles by 2024. Format tweaks included group stages during expansions, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic shortened one edition, but the tournament rebounded strongly— the 2023 final at Seville's La Cartuja Stadium drew 20,000 fans.
Tournament format
Featuring all 16 Primera División Femenina teams, early rounds are single-leg ties at the lower seed's home. Quarterfinals and semifinals form a 'Final Four' on neutral grounds, with the decider on a major venue, often alongside the men's cup final. Matches run 90 minutes, extendable to extra time and penalties. VAR was introduced in 2022 for key decisions.
Interesting facts
Matches average 3.2 goals, fueled by Spain's attacking flair. Top scorer Alexia Putellas (Barcelona) nets 25 cup goals; Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Parra follow closely. Stars like Athenea's dazzling dribbles for Atlético Madrid, Jennifer Hermoso's penalty prowess (15 in a row for Barcelona), and legends like six-time winner Mari Paz Vilas shine. Underdogs like 2021 semifinalists Levante create magic.