Barcelona edge Real Madrid in ET thriller to win Copa del Rey
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
In a match that will be etched into the annals of Spanish football history, Jules Koundé’s breathtaking strike in the 116th minute of extra time secured a dramatic 3-2 victory for Barcelona over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday, delivering a record-extending 32nd Spanish Cup title to the Catalan giants in front of a fervent crowd at Seville’s La Cartuja stadium. The pulsating encounter, marked by moments of brilliance, controversy, and raw emotion, encapsulated the intensity of the Clásico rivalry, as Barcelona overcame a resilient Madrid side to claim the first piece of silverware in their pursuit of a potential treble. Koundé’s decisive goal, a low, precise shot from 25 yards that nestled into the bottom corner of Thibaut Courtois’ net, sparked scenes of delirium among the Barcelona faithful, who had endured a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the match. The victory was particularly sweet given the ill-tempered nature of the contest, which saw Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez, and Jude Bellingham receive red cards for dissent and unsportsmanlike conduct after the final whistle, adding a bitter coda to their defeat. For Barcelona, the triumph was a testament to their resilience, tactical acumen, and unrelenting spirit, as they capitalized on their dominance in the first half, weathered a fierce Madrid comeback in the second, and ultimately seized the moment in extra time to secure a victory that will resonate for years to come.
The match began with Barcelona asserting their authority, dictating the tempo and overwhelming a surprisingly subdued Real Madrid side in the first half. Pedri, the young midfield maestro, set the tone in the 28th minute with a sublime curling strike from outside the box that soared into the top corner, leaving Courtois with no chance and igniting the Barcelona supporters in the stands. The goal was a fitting reward for Barcelona’s relentless pressure, as they carved open Madrid’s defense with incisive passing and dynamic movement. Ferran Torres, who would later be named player of the match, came agonizingly close to doubling the lead just before halftime, his header crashing against the post in a moment that epitomized Barcelona’s dominance. Real Madrid, by contrast, appeared disjointed and lacking in cohesion, their attacking efforts stifled by a well-organized Barcelona backline led by Ronald Araújo and Koundé. The fact that Madrid trailed by only one goal at the interval was a testament to their defensive resilience, as well as the heroics of Courtois, who made several key interventions to keep his team in the contest. For Barcelona, the first half was a statement of intent, a display of their attacking prowess and tactical superiority that suggested they were on course for a comfortable victory.
However, the second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum, as Real Madrid, spurred by the introduction of Kylian Mbappé, roared back into contention. The French superstar, who had started on the bench due to ongoing recovery from an ankle injury, transformed the game with his electrifying pace and flair. Replacing the ineffective Rodrygo, Mbappé injected urgency into Madrid’s play, forming a devastating partnership with Vinicius Junior that repeatedly tested Barcelona’s defense. Despite Wojciech Szczesny producing two stunning saves to deny Vinicius, Mbappé’s impact was undeniable, as he leveled the score in the 70th minute with a low, driven free kick that found its way through the Barcelona wall and into the net. The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Madrid’s favor, and just seven minutes later, Aurélien Tchouaméni put Los Blancos ahead with a towering header from a corner, capitalizing on a rare moment of defensive frailty from Barcelona. The turnaround was a stark reminder of Madrid’s ability to seize control in high-stakes moments, and for a brief period, it appeared as though they might wrestle the trophy from Barcelona’s grasp.
Yet, Barcelona’s resolve remained unshaken, and their response was swift and decisive. In the 84th minute, Ferran Torres, who had been a constant menace throughout the match, restored parity with a clinical finish on a lightning-fast counterattack, setting the stage for a thrilling period of extra time. The goal was a testament to Barcelona’s ability to exploit transitions, as well as Torres’ growing importance to the team, both as a goal-scorer and a leader on the pitch. Extra time itself was a tense, attritional affair, with both teams pushed to the limits of their physical and mental endurance. A controversial moment arrived when Barcelona were awarded a penalty, only for it to be overturned after a lengthy VAR review, a decision that incensed the Barcelona bench and added to the match’s fractious atmosphere. Just when it seemed that the final would be decided by a penalty shootout, Koundé delivered the moment of magic that would define the night. Latching onto a misplaced pass from Brahim Díaz, the French defender took a touch before unleashing a thunderous shot that arrowed into the bottom corner, sending the Barcelona fans into raptures and securing a victory that felt both improbable and inevitable given the ebb and flow of the contest.
The aftermath of Koundé’s goal was marred by Real Madrid’s lack of composure, as Rüdiger and Vázquez, both substitutes, were sent off for their protests from the sidelines, while Bellingham’s post-match antics earned him a red card, further souring Madrid’s evening. The disciplinary meltdown was a reflection of the frustration that has plagued Madrid throughout the season, particularly in their encounters with Barcelona. The Catalans have dominated the Clásico rivalry in 2024-25, securing victories in all three meetings, including a 5-2 rout in the Spanish Super Cup final in January and a 4-0 demolition at the Santiago Bernabéu in LaLiga in October. This latest defeat, coupled with Madrid’s elimination from the Champions League quarterfinals by Arsenal, has intensified speculation surrounding the future of Carlo Ancelotti, who has hinted at a potential move to coach Brazil in the summer. For Madrid, the Copa del Rey final represented a chance to salvage their season, but instead, it became another chapter in Barcelona’s recent supremacy over their fiercest rivals.
For Barcelona, the victory is a springboard for what promises to be a defining period in their season. Leading LaLiga by four points over Real Madrid, they now turn their attention to the Champions League semifinal first leg against Inter Milan, a match that will test their credentials as genuine treble contenders. The Copa del Rey triumph, while a moment to savor, was tempered by Ferran Torres’ post-match comments, in which he urged his teammates to remain focused ahead of the European challenge. “It was a good time to give the fans something to cheer about. Let’s enjoy it, but don’t overdo it because the Champions League semifinals are coming up in a few days,” Torres told TVE, reflecting the maturity and ambition within the Barcelona squad. His own performance, capped by the equalizer and his tireless work rate, earned him the player of the match award, and his words underscored the physical toll of the final, which he described as the most demanding game of his career. The victory, he noted, was all the sweeter for coming against Real Madrid, a sentiment shared by the thousands of Barcelona fans who filled La Cartuja with noise and color.
The match was not without its controversies, as Real Madrid’s decision to boycott prematch activities in protest against the Spanish FA’s refereeing set a contentious tone. Final official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who had delivered an emotional prematch press conference, faced immense pressure, navigating a series of contentious decisions, including the overturned penalty in extra time. Despite the challenges, his handling of the match was widely praised, ensuring that the focus remained on the football rather than the officiating. For Barcelona, the victory was a collective triumph, with contributions from across the squad. Pedri’s opening goal showcased his burgeoning talent, Torres’ equalizer highlighted his resilience, and Koundé’s winner underlined his versatility and composure under pressure. As Barcelona bask in the glory of their 32nd Copa del Rey title, they do so with the knowledge that their season is far from over. With LaLiga and the Champions League still to play for, the Catalans are poised to write further chapters in what could be a historic campaign, while Real Madrid are left to lick their wounds and contemplate a future without Ancelotti at the helm.
