Barcelona secured their 32nd Copa del Rey title in thrilling fashion on Saturday, overcoming Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville. Jules Kounde netted the decisive goal deep into extra time, delivering the first major trophy under coach Hansi Flick’s leadership.
The Catalan side, still chasing a quadruple this season, struck first through Pedri, who scored a stunning opener. However, Real Madrid quickly responded with two goals in seven minutes, courtesy of Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, leveling the match.
Ferran Torres equalized late in regular time to push the final into extra periods, where Kounde’s low, powerful strike ultimately sealed the victory for Barcelona.
The match saw plenty of drama both on and off the pitch. Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the dying seconds for throwing an object toward the referee. The heated atmosphere had been anticipated, following Madrid’s public criticism of the officiating team ahead of the match.
Real Madrid’s preparation was further disrupted when left-back Ferland Mendy, returning after a six-week absence, suffered a thigh injury early on. Fran Garcia came on to replace him, tasked with containing Barcelona’s 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal, who dazzled with his dribbling and pace.
Barcelona dominated possession early and took the lead in the 28th minute. Pau Cubarsi intercepted the ball deep in Barcelona’s half, setting up a move that ended with Yamal feeding Pedri, who smashed the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.
Madrid, initially conservative, opened up after conceding. Jude Bellingham had a goal ruled out for offside, while Vinicius Junior nearly won a penalty but was also flagged offside earlier in the move.
Barcelona almost doubled their lead when Dani Olmo’s corner struck the far post, with Cubarsi unable to capitalize as Dani Ceballos appeared to impede him.
The second half saw Kylian Mbappe introduced, immediately adding energy to Madrid’s attack. In the 70th minute, Mbappe was fouled at the edge of the area and then curled the resulting free-kick past Wojciech Szczesny, leveling the score. Just minutes later, Tchouameni headed home from a corner to put Madrid ahead.
Ferran Torres brought Barcelona back with an 84th-minute goal, latching onto a brilliant lofted pass from Yamal and sliding the ball past an advancing Thibaut Courtois and Rudiger.
Late controversy arose when Barcelona were initially awarded a penalty after Raphinha went down in stoppage time, only for VAR to overturn the decision and issue the Brazilian a yellow card for simulation.
In extra time, Barcelona pushed for the winner and found it through Kounde, who capitalized on a rare Luka Modric error and drilled a low shot past Courtois.
Rudiger’s red card and Madrid’s frustration with officiating before and during the final will likely leave lingering tensions, especially as both sides are set to clash again in May in a potential La Liga title decider.
