The match took place on January 8, 2003, at the Estadi Olímpic de Terrassa, corresponding to the first leg of the Copa del Rey 2002-2003 Round of 16. Terrassa FC, which had recently been promoted to the Second Division, was managed by Miguel Álvarez Jurado. Their opponent was a Real Madrid side coached by Vicente del Bosque, featuring stars like Hierro, Pavón, Cambiasso, and Guti, and who were the reigning Champions League winners.

The clash was thrilling. Although Real Madrid opened the scoring, the home team quickly reacted with a goal from Monty (1-1). After the visitors took the lead again with two more goals, Miguel Álvarez Jurado's side managed to equalize once more thanks to a second goal from Monty and a final one from Babangida, closing the score at a surprising 3-3.

Despite the first-leg result, Real Madrid eliminated Terrassa FC in the return match, played on January 15, 2003, at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Madrid team dominated the encounter, winning 4-2, with goals from Celades, Fernando Hierro, Portillo, and McManaman, against Terrassa FC's goals from Monty and Besora.

The aggregate score of 5-7 allowed Real Madrid to advance, although they were surprisingly eliminated in the next round (quarter-finals) by Mallorca, the team that eventually won the Copa del Rey that season by defeating Recreativo de Huelva in the final.