Barcelona Triumphs Over Real Madrid in Thrilling Copa del Rey Final
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde scored a late winner in extra-time to secure a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final held in Seville.
The intense final saw Barcelona claim their 32nd Spanish Cup title, marking the first major trophy under manager Hansi Flick. The Catalan side, aiming for a quadruple this season, delivered a record-extending win in a dramatic fashion.
The match kicked off with Pedri opening the scoring for Barcelona, only to be quickly equalized by Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni’s goals for Real Madrid in the second half. Ferran Torres then levelled the score in the 84th minute, leading the match into extra-time where Kounde’s decisive strike sealed the victory for the La Liga leaders.
The game ended with some controversy as Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger was shown a red card for allegedly throwing an object at the referee, while Lucas Vázquez was dismissed for persistent protests from the sidelines.
“It was a moment to celebrate for our fans, but we must stay focused as the Champions League semi-finals are approaching,” Torres commented ahead of Barcelona’s upcoming clash against Inter Milan.
Real Madrid faced setbacks early on with Mbappe starting on the bench due to injury and Mendy exiting the game with a thigh issue. Barcelona’s teenage talent Lamine Yamal posed a threat, leading the Catalans to dominate possession and take the lead through Pedri’s brilliant strike in the first half.
Madrid responded with Mbappe’s introduction at halftime, leading to a goal-scoring spree with Mbappe equalizing and Tchouameni putting Madrid ahead. Barcelona fought back with Torres’ goal, eventually securing victory in extra-time through Kounde’s heroics.
The match saw heated moments, including disputed penalty calls and late drama, setting the stage for a fiery rematch between the two sides in La Liga later in the season.
The thrilling Copa del Rey final showcased the fierce rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid, with Barcelona emerging victorious in a memorable battle for Spanish Cup glory.
