Copa del Rey: Barcelona edge Real Madrid in extra time to win the title

India Today

27-04-2025

Barcelona lifted their record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title after a thrilling 3-2 extra-time win over rivals Real Madrid at a packed La Cartuja stadium in Seville on Saturday. This was Barcelona's second trophy of the season, having won both the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup by beating Real MadridIn a gripping El Clsico final, defender Jules Kound scored the decisive goal in the 116th minute, firing a low shot into the bottom corner from distance to seal the victory for Barcelona.advertisementBarcelona took the lead through Pedri in the 28th minute with a stunning curling effort and dominated the first half. However, Real Madrid hit back strongly after the break. Substitute Kylian Mbapp equalised with a free-kick in the 70th minute before Aurlien Tchouamni put Madrid ahead just seven minutes later with a powerful header.
Barcelona responded through Ferran Torres, who finished off a counterattack to level the game in the 84th minute and send the final into extra time. Hands on the cup. Eyes on the captain. pic.twitter.com/QnG6cCux9y— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2025As penalties loomed, Kound delivered the decisive blow. His goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the Bara players and fans, while frustration boiled over for Madrid. Antonio Rdiger and Lucas Vzquez were shown red cards for dissent from the sidelines, and Jude Bellingham was also sent off after the final whistle for unsportsmanlike conduct.advertisement"Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride," Kound said after the match.The final was a tense, ill-tempered affair, fueled by Real Madrid's boycott of pre-match activities over refereeing protests. Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who gave an emotional press conference on Friday, faced several tough calls, including overturning a late penalty for Barcelona after a long VAR check.Barcelona dominated the first half, with Ferran Torres hitting the post, but Real Madrid stayed alive. Carlo Ancelotti turned to Kylian Mbapp after the break, and the Frenchman changed the tempo, combining well with Vinicius Jr. Despite two big saves from Wojciech Szczesny, Mbapp finally levelled with a low free-kick strike in the 69th minute.Aurelien Tchouameni put Madrid ahead shortly after, but Torres equalised in the 83rd minute, setting up a thrilling finish that saw Barcelona grab the title in dramatic fashion.Barcelona now turn their focus to the Champions League, where they will host Inter Milan in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Real Madrid, now out of Europe and the Copa del Rey, are left to focus solely on LaLiga as they try to avoid ending the season empty-handed."It was a good time to give the fans something to cheer about. Let's enjoy it, but don't overdo it because the Champions League semi-finals are coming up in a few days," player of the match Ferran Torres told TVE.advertisement"Happy and tired. Without a doubt, it was the most physically demanding game I've played in my life. But we're a great team who never gives up."It tastes better that way, especially when it's Real Madrid in front of us."