Barcelona defender Jules Kounde scored deep into extra time to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in a dramatic Copa del Rey Clasico final in Seville on Saturday night.
The Catalan giants, chasing a historic quadruple this season, lifted the first major trophy under coach Hansi Flick and celebrated a record-extending 32nd Spanish Cup triumph.
Pedri opened the scoring for Barcelona at La Cartuja, but Real Madrid responded with two quick goals in the second half through Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni. Ferran Torres equalized in the 84th minute to force extra time, setting the stage for Kounde’s decisive strike.
Real Madrid’s night ended in further chaos as Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for throwing an object towards the referee.
Madrid, who left top scorer Mbappe on the bench at kickoff due to a recent ankle injury, were hit early when Ferland Mendy suffered a thigh problem, forcing Carlo Ancelotti to bring on Fran Garcia. The substitute struggled against Barcelona’s electrifying teenage winger Lamine Yamal, who dazzled with his pace and flair.
Barcelona dominated the first half and took the lead after 28 minutes. Pedri, finishing a sweeping move that began with a Pau Cubarsi interception, smashed a precise shot into the top corner after receiving a pass from Yamal.
The goal woke Madrid up, and they nearly responded immediately. Jude Bellingham had a goal ruled out for offside, and Vinicius Junior saw a potential penalty chance wiped out for the same reason.
Barcelona nearly extended their lead before halftime, but Dani Olmo’s corner hit the post, and Cubarsi was held back by Dani Ceballos from pouncing on the rebound.
Mbappe’s halftime introduction changed the game’s tempo. After several close calls, the French striker equalized in the 70th minute with a free-kick that bounced in off the post after he was fouled by Frenkie de Jong.
Tchouameni then headed Madrid into the lead seven minutes later from an Arda Guler corner, stunning the Barcelona fans.
But Barcelona responded with spirit. Lamine Yamal’s brilliant lofted pass found Torres, who calmly slotted the ball past Courtois to make it 2-2.
Controversy erupted in stoppage time when Barcelona were denied a penalty following a VAR review, with Raphinha booked for simulation after initially winning a spot-kick.
In extra time, Barcelona pushed for a winner and finally got their reward when Kounde intercepted a loose Luka Modric pass and drilled a low shot past Courtois, sending the Catalans into wild celebrations.
With Rudiger’s red card and Madrid’s pre-match outrage over the officiating still simmering, tensions are sure to remain high when the two sides meet again in LaLiga in May in a match that could decide the title.
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