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The Copa del Generalísimo 1943 is the 39th staging of the Spanish Cup. The competition began on April 25, 1943 and ended on June 20, 1943 with the final.
First Round
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Francisco Franco, the dictator of Spain from 1939 to his death in 1975.
In 1943, under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco Bahamonde, who was known to have been tyrant and oppressive towards the Catalans, Barcelona faced Real Madrid in the semi-finals of the 1943 Copa del Generalísimo. That was the General’s Cup, before Spain was made a republic, now called Copa del Rey. The first leg match, played at Barcelona's Les Corts stadium in Catalonia, ended with Barcelona winning 3–0. Before the second leg in Madrid, the Barcelona team received an uninvited guest just before kick-off. He carried an even more unwelcome message;
“Do not forget that some of you are only playing because of the generosity of the regime that has forgiven you for your lack of patriotism.” - Count of Mayalde, Franco's head of state security.
In one of the most intimidating atmospheres in football history, within half an hour Madrid were three goals up and Barcelona capitulated as Madrid added to their tally to make it 8-0 before half-time with goals in the 33rd, 35th, 39th, 43rd and 49th minutes. At half-time Barcelona were reluctant to come out for the second half. Madrid dominated and scored three more, winning the game 11-1 (11-4 on aggregate). A newspaper called the scoreline "as absurd as it was abnormal".
According to football writer Sid Lowe; "There have been relatively few mentions of the game and it is not a result that has been particularly celebrated in Barcelona. Indeed, the 11-1 occupies a far more prominent place in Barcelona's history." Fernando Argila, Barcelona's reserve goalkeeper from the game, said: “There was no rivalry. Not, at least, until that game."
Football in Spain