Barcelona claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday, securing their first major title under coach Hansi Flick at Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium. The win marked their 32nd Spanish Cup triumph, keeping alive their hopes for an unprecedented quadruple this season.
Pedri put Barcelona ahead midway through the first half, but Madrid responded strongly in the second half with quick goals from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, giving them a 2-1 lead. However, Barcelona fought back as Ferran Torres scored in the 84th minute, forcing the match into extra time.
In the extra period, defender Jules Kounde netted the decisive goal with a powerful low shot past Thibaut Courtois, handing Barcelona the trophy. The match ended in controversy when Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger was sent off for allegedly throwing an object at the referee.
Real Madrid’s troubles began early, as they had initially benched top scorer Mbappe due to an ankle injury. Their defensive woes deepened when Ferland Mendy was forced off with a thigh injury, replaced by Fran Garcia. Garcia struggled to cope with the pace and skill of Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, who had a significant impact on the game.
Barcelona, having dominated their previous Clasicos this season, made an early mark. Pedri’s superb goal came after a quick exchange with Yamal, curling a shot into the top corner from outside the box. In response, Madrid upped the pressure, and Mbappe’s introduction at halftime quickly paid off, with the Frenchman scoring a free-kick equalizer.
Tchouameni then gave Madrid the lead, heading in from a corner. But Barcelona refused to surrender, and Torres leveled the score with a clever finish after a brilliant assist from Yamal.
As tensions rose, Barcelona were denied a penalty after a VAR review overturned a stoppage-time decision, with Raphinha booked for simulation.
In extra time, Barcelona pushed for a winner, and Kounde’s clinical finish after intercepting a mistake from Luka Modric sealed the win. Madrid’s frustrations boiled over with Rudiger’s red card, setting the stage for an intense return clash in La Liga in May, where the title race could be on the line.
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