Real Madrid go to Mestalla for the last time, and the trip is about a stadium that has delivered some of the club’s defining cup nights as well as stubborn league frustration. Madrid have been crowned Copa del Rey champions there four times, while Mestalla is also the third ground where they have suffered the most away league defeats, with 38.
Mestalla's place in Real Madrid history
The ground has worn several names across its life, Campo de Mestalla from 1923 to 1969, Luis Casanova Stadium from 1969 to 1994, and Mestalla Stadium from 1994 to the present. However it is labelled, it has been part of Madrid’s cup story for a long time.
The 1936 Copa del Presidente de la República final at Campo de Mestalla ended 2-1 to Madrid against Valencia's rivals FC Barcelona. The 2014 Copa del Rey final at Mestalla also went Madrid’s way, with Gareth Bale’s famous run against Marc Bartra deciding a 2-1 win.
Current league contrast
The league table gives the visit a different edge. Real Madrid are third in La Liga with 27 points from 11 matches, having won 9 and lost only 2. Valencia are 19th with 9 points from 11 matches, and their last five league matches have brought one win, two draws and two defeats.
Even so, the main draw of this trip is still the ground itself. Mestalla has been a place where Madrid have lifted the Copa del Rey and a place where league away trips have often been uncomfortable, and this final visit closes that long run of meetings.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
