By Victor Kanayo
Barcelona on Saturday night beat Real Madrid 3–2 to win the 2025 Copa del Rey in a remarkable Clásico in Seville.
The victory for Barcelona was sealed after Jules Koundé lashed in an extra-time screamer, with the match tied at 2–2 after 90 minutes and penalties appearing inevitable.
The Barcelona defender took possession of the ball 22 yards out and drilled a fine effort into the bottom corner.
Match Summary
As reported by the BBC, Barça had been by far the better side in the first half and led through Pedri’s fantastic first-time strike from outside the box after Lamine Yamal’s cut-back.
Real improved dramatically after Kylian Mbappé came on as a substitute, curling in a free-kick, which he had won into the bottom corner via the inside of the post.
Aurélien Tchouaméni then headed Real ahead from Arda Güler’s corner.
However, Barcelona levelled when Ferran Torres ran onto Yamal’s long ball, rounded goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and slotted home.
Hansi Flick’s side thought they had a chance to win it in injury time when they were awarded a penalty following a Raúl Asencio tackle on Raphinha, but the decision was overturned after a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check.
That meant the game went to extra time, where Koundé’s fourth goal of the season proved decisive.
The build-up to the game had been dominated by scrutiny of the match officials, and it finished with Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez both shown straight red cards from the Real bench.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham was also sent off after the final whistle for angrily confronting the officials.
