FC Barcelona lifted their record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title in dramatic fashion on Saturday night, defeating arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time at La Cartuja Stadium.
In a gripping Clásico final that swung wildly over two hours of exhilarating football, it was defender Jules Koundé who emerged as the unlikely hero, striking late in extra time to hand Hansi Flick his first major trophy as Barcelona coach.
Pedri had given Barcelona the lead with a stunning strike in the first half, but a second-half Real Madrid fightback, led by Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni, turned the tide. Ferran Torres forced extra time with a late equalizer, before Koundé’s decisive goal set off euphoric celebrations among the Catalan faithful.
The match began with Barcelona firmly in control, dominating possession and setting the tempo. Their teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, with newly dyed blond hair for the occasion, repeatedly tore through Madrid’s defense. Barcelona’s breakthrough came after 28 minutes, a move initiated by Pau Cubarsí’s interception deep in his own half. After a swift exchange, Yamal teed up Pedri, who unleashed a precise, powerful shot into the top corner, leaving Thibaut Courtois helpless.
Madrid, with star striker Mbappé starting on the bench after an ankle injury, struggled to cope early on. Their woes deepened when Ferland Mendy, returning after six weeks out, suffered a thigh injury, forcing an early substitution. However, the Catalans couldn’t extend their lead despite several near-misses, including a Dani Olmo corner that clipped the post.
The second half saw a transformed Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti introduced Mbappé at the break, and almost immediately, the Frenchman’s pace and directness began troubling Barcelona’s high defensive line. In the 70th minute, Mbappé was brought down by Frenkie de Jong on the edge of the area. Dusting himself off, Mbappé drilled the resulting free-kick low into the net via the post to level the score.
Seven minutes later, Madrid seized the lead. Arda Güler swung in a corner, and Tchouaméni rose highest to power a header past a stranded Wojciech Szczęsny, flipping the script and sending Madrid fans into raptures.
Barcelona, who had dominated the first half, found themselves rocked, but refused to crumble. With six minutes remaining, Yamal’s sublime lofted pass set Torres free. Courtois rushed out, but Torres kept his composure to slot into the empty net and make it 2-2, sending the final into a breathless extra time.
The end of regulation time was marred by controversy. Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea initially awarded Barcelona a penalty after Raphinha went down under pressure from Raúl Asencio. Yet after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was dramatically overturned, with Raphinha booked for simulation, enraging Barcelona’s bench and supporters.
Exhausted but relentless, Barcelona pressed forward in extra time, smelling blood. In the 116th minute, Luka Modrić’s rare loose pass was pounced upon by Koundé, who surged forward and unleashed a low, ferocious shot from outside the box that beat Courtois at his near post.
The goal sparked wild celebrations from the Barcelona players, who sprinted en masse towards the jubilant fans. Fireworks lit the Seville sky as the Catalans edged closer to a potential historic quadruple this season.
In the dying seconds, tempers flared again. Real Madrid’s Antonio Rüdiger, already nursing an injury, was shown a red card for throwing an object towards the referee in frustration, encapsulating the deep sense of grievance that Madrid carried throughout the night – intensified by their pre-match anger at the officiating team’s handling of prior criticisms.
In a final worthy of its billing – the first Clásico Copa del Rey final in 11 years – Barcelona once again showcased their resilience and attacking verve. For Real Madrid, who had earlier boycotted pre-match activities in protest against referee criticism, it was a bitter defeat in a game that swung on fine margins, officiating controversies, and moments of individual brilliance.
