Barcelona Crowned Copa del Rey Champions After Thrilling 3-2 Victory Over Real Madrid
Jules Cound’s goal at the end of the second half of extra time secured the 32nd Copa del Rey victory after a thrilling final at La Cartuja Stadium.
In a dramatic and unforgettable El Clásico final, FC Barcelona clinched their 32nd Copa del Rey title by defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in extra time at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. The winning goal came just four minutes before the final whistle of extra time, thanks to a brilliant header by Jules Koundé, sealing a classic that lived up to all expectations.Embed from Getty Images
First Half: Barcelona Dominates with High Pressure
Barcelona started the game strongly under their new manager Hansi Flick, despite missing key players like Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde. Young midfielder Pedri opened the scoring in the first half with a stunning long-range shot that left Thibaut Courtois helpless.
With Ferran Torres replacing Lewandowski and Gerard Martín stepping in for Balde, Barcelona applied relentless pressure, forcing Real Madrid onto the back foot. Although Real had a few chances, including a disallowed goal by Jude Bellingham, the Blaugranas remained dominant throughout the first 45 minutes.
🏁 @FCBarcelona 3-2 @RealMadridEn
⚽ 28′ Pedri
⚽ 70′ @KMbappe
⚽ 77′ @ATchouameni
⚽ 88′ Ferran
⚽ 116′ Koundé
👉 @emirates pic.twitter.com/chUzhAKU9P— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 26, 2025
Real Madrid Fights Back in the Second Half
Kylian Mbappé, still recovering from an ankle issue, began the second half on the bench but was introduced to spark Real Madrid’s attack. His presence, along with the introduction of Luka Modric and Arda Güler, shifted the momentum in Madrid’s favor.
Mbappé leveled the score with a well-placed free kick following a foul by Frenkie de Jong, which Madrid fans believed deserved a red card. Just minutes later, Aurélien Tchouaméni headed home a corner kick to give Real Madrid a 2-1 lead.
However, Barcelona responded quickly. Ferran Torres capitalized on a poor positioning error by Courtois and slotted the ball into the net to bring the score to 2-2.
Late Drama and Extra Time
As the match reached injury time, Raphinha was brought down in the box by Marco Asensio, and the referee initially pointed to the spot. But after a VAR review, the penalty was overturned, and Raphinha received a yellow card for simulation.
In extra time, both sides looked fatigued, with few clear chances. Eric García came on for the exhausted Pedri to stabilize Barcelona’s midfield. Just as penalties loomed, Jules Koundé rose above the defense to score the decisive goal in the 116th minute, securing a memorable 3-2 victory for Barcelona.
COPA FINAL 🏆
BARÇA 3-2 REAL MADRID pic.twitter.com/rsQyQkU10S— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 26, 2025
A Classic to Remember
“This Copa del Rey final had it all—goals, controversy, VAR drama, and a thrilling finish. Barcelona’s victory not only adds another prestigious trophy to their cabinet but also sets a strong tone for Hansi Flick’s tenure as head coach.
