Barcelona Beat Real Madrid in Extra Time to Win Copa del Rey

Barcelona clinched their 32nd Copa del Rey title in breathtaking fashion on Saturday night, edging out Real Madrid 3-2 in a pulsating final at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville.

In a match packed with drama, tension, and high emotion, it was Jules Kounde who played the hero, smashing home a sensational winner deep into extra time to sink Los Blancos and hand Barca boss Hansi Flick his first major trophy with the club.

With penalties looming large, Kounde took matters into his own hands in the 116th minute, firing a low rocket from 25 yards that whistled into the bottom corner, sparking wild celebrations among the Barcelona faithful.

Earlier, Pedri lit up the first half with a stunning opener, curling a beautiful shot into the top corner in the 28th minute, capping off Barca’s dominant start. Ferran Torres almost doubled the lead before the break, rattling the post with a header as Real Madrid struggled to find any rhythm.

But after the restart, Carlo Ancelotti’s side roared back into life. Star man Kylian Mbappe, still nursing his way back to full fitness, was unleashed from the bench and wasted no time making an impact. The Frenchman drew Real level with a wicked low free-kick in the 70th minute, breathing new life into a previously flat Madrid performance.

Seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni sent Madrid fans into a frenzy, rising highest to nod home a corner and complete the turnaround.

However, Barcelona refused to crumble. A blistering counterattack saw Torres bring them back on level terms in the 84th minute, setting up a frantic finale that pushed both sides to the limit.

Just when penalties looked inevitable, up stepped Kounde to deliver a moment of pure magic – and Barcelona’s night of glory was sealed.

Tempers Flare As Madrid’s Frustration Boils Over

The final wasn’t just a showcase of top-tier football; it was a rollercoaster of emotions. Tensions between the two giants were already running high following Real Madrid’s decision to boycott pre-match activities, protesting against the Spanish FA’s refereeing standards.

Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, thrust into the spotlight, had his hands full with a number of tight calls, including an extra-time Barcelona penalty that was ultimately overturned after a lengthy VAR review.

As the final whistle blew, Real Madrid’s frustrations spilled over. Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez, both already subbed off, saw red for dissent from the sidelines, summing up a night of heartbreak for Los Blancos.

Torres: “It Tastes Even Better Against Madrid”

Player of the match Ferran Torres couldn’t hide his delight after the final whistle.

“Happy and exhausted. Honestly, that was the most physically demanding game I’ve ever played. But nights like these, when you beat Real Madrid, they taste even sweeter,” Torres told TVE.

“We’ll celebrate tonight, but we know the Champions League semi-finals are around the corner. Focus turns quickly!”

With LaLiga and the Champions League still in their sights, Barcelona’s season is shaping up to be a truly memorable one. But for now, the Catalan giants can bask in the joy of toppling their biggest rivals when it mattered most.