Copa del Rey: Extra time confusion cleared up as knockout drama continues
With the Spanish Super Cup using different rules, we explain how Copa del Rey matches are decided when teams are level after 90 minutes.
As the Copa del Rey returns with thrilling last-16 action, fans have been left scratching their heads over the competition’s extra time rules following the contrasting format used in last week’s Spanish Super Cup.
Extra time IS played in Copa del Rey
Let’s clear up the confusion right away - unlike the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de España), the Copa del Rey does include 30 minutes of extra time when matches are level after 90 minutes.
This has already been demonstrated in this week’s Round of 16 ties, with both Real Sociedad vs Osasuna and Cultural Leonesa vs Athletic Club requiring the additional half-hour to try separating the teams.
The Real Sociedad-Osasuna clash even went the full distance to penalties after the sides couldn’t be separated during the extra 30 minutes.
Why the confusion?
The mix-up stems from last week’s Supercopa, where Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in the final without any extra time being played. Had that match been tied after 90 minutes, it would have gone straight to penalties.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) made this change to the Supercopa format last year to reduce player workload in an increasingly congested fixture calendar - a decision that addressed long-standing concerns from players about fixture congestion.
Different tournaments, different rules
Despite both competitions being run by the RFEF, they’ve chosen to maintain different approaches:
- Spanish Super Cup: No extra time, straight to penalties if tied
- Copa del Rey: 30 minutes of extra time, then penalties if still level
This distinction is particularly important as we move deeper into the knockout phases, where the stakes get higher and the potential for drawn matches increases.
For fans heading to matches or watching on the box, it’s worth remembering you might be in for the long haul. If your team’s level after 90 minutes, don’t leg it to the tube station thinking it’s all over - you’ve potentially got another half-hour plus penalties to go!