Maradona’s kung-fu kicks and brawl marked the Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao clash in the Copa del Rey in 1984.

When Andoni Goikoetxea shattered Diego Maradona’s ankle in 1983, it provided the Argentine with ample contemplation time as he strategized his retaliation against the Butcher of Bilbao. Maradona made a comeback just before Barcelona’s Copa del Rey final with Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabéu in 1984, months after the incident that had strained relations between the two clubs at San Mamés the previous September.

The tension was exacerbated by the game’s venue at Real Madrid, an institution despised by both sets of supporters, particularly during the Franco era. Prior to kick-off, Basques and Catalans expressed their disdain for the Spanish state by booing the national anthem, intensifying the hostile atmosphere with fervent waving of regional flags behind the metal fencing surrounding the pitch.

The initial stages of the match were marked by a series of contentious challenges, notably Athletic defender Iñigo Liceranzu testing the recovery of Maradona’s ankle. In Barcelona’s midfield, Bernd Schuster also faced tests on his bone structure, escalating his anger throughout the match. The football played was scruffy, emphasizing physicality over technical finesse. Athletic nearly took the lead, with Endika Guarrotxena finding himself surprisingly on the wrong side of the defense. Although he attempted to chip Francisco Urruticoechea, the goalkeeper slowed the ball down, allowing a Barcelona defender to clear.

Endika had another opportunity as Barcelona failed to clear a 13th-minute corner. Estanislao Argote, the original set-piece taker, curled the ball to the edge of the box from the left where Endika was waiting. Calmly chesting it down into his path, he laced a shot into the corner with his left foot, celebrating with one arm aloft as flags glided through the air.

The game’s tempo remained unchanged as both teams sought retribution, sparing no body part in the process. Knees and faces were tested in challenges for the remaining 77 minutes. Referee Ángel Franco Martínez produced seven yellow cards, but no foul merited dismissal.

Despite Barcelona’s frantic pursuit of an equalizer, they couldn’t breach Athletic’s resolute defense and Andoni Zubizarreta in goal. As the final whistle blew, Maradona squared up to José María Núñez, forehead-to-forehead. In the stands, Athletic fans celebrated the double, tearing down metal fences as substitutes and coaches joined the jubilation. For Maradona, it was an unexpected moment – instead of gaining retribution against a team he now hated, he had put his body on the line and earned nothing.

The accumulated anger and frustration within Maradona and his teammates erupted at full time. He immediately attacked Athletic players, starting with unused substitute Miguel Ángel Sola, knocking him down and kneeing him in the face, leaving the Basque unconscious. The pitch became a melee with Maradona and Schuster leading the charge for Barcelona, kung-fu kicking anything in red and white. Athletic players interrupted their celebrations to retaliate. Meanwhile, Sola was carried from the pitch on a stretcher.

Riot police were called in to escort Barcelona players off the pitch, using shields to repel missiles thrown by Athletic fans. Maradona, with a torn shirt, remained in the center circle until security personnel ushered him away. Athletic captain Dani lifted the trophy, returning to the chaotic scenes on the pitch where players finally enjoyed their triumph.

This incident marked the end for Maradona at Barcelona. He was sold to Napoli that summer, a preferable option to serving a three-month ban for his role in the violence. It was a sign of his temperamental nature and foreshadowed what lay ahead in his career.

For Athletic, it was the last time they won a meaningful trophy, sometimes overshadowed by the fighting. Nevertheless, winning in the Spanish capital against Barcelona was a proud moment for the Basques. For Endika, it was the crowning achievement in an average career, while for Maradona, it represented the lowest point in a magnificent one.