Barcelona Triumphs Over Real Madrid To Win 32nd Copa Del Rey Trophy
In a breathtaking encounter that showcased the fierce rivalry of El Clásico, Barcelona emerged victorious over Real Madrid with a 3-2 win in the Copa del Rey final at the Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla. Jules Kounde’s dramatic goal in the 116th minute secured Barcelona their 32nd Copa del Rey trophy, further deepening Real Madrid’s woes after their recent exit from the Champions League.
First Half: Barcelona Strikes First
The match began with high intensity, and it was Barcelona who took the lead in the 28th minute. Pedri delivered a stunning strike from outside the box, finding the top corner and sending the Catalan fans into a frenzy. However, Real Madrid’s night took a turn when they lost Ferland Mendy to injury early in the match, adding to their challenges.
Second Half: Madrid’s Comeback
Real Madrid responded brilliantly in the second half, with Kylian Mbappé leveling the score in the 70th minute from a free kick, striking the ball into the bottom corner. Just seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni put the Merengues ahead with a close-range header from an Arda Güler corner, giving them a 2-1 advantage.
Late Drama: Barcelona Equalizes
With time running out, Barcelona mounted a comeback, and Ferran Torres scored the equalizer in the 84th minute, rounding the goalkeeper before slotting the ball home. As the match headed into extra time, both teams were poised for a tense finish.
Kounde’s Heroics Seal the Victory
In the dying moments of extra time, Kounde struck the decisive blow. Picking up the ball outside the box, he drove forward and curled a shot into the bottom corner, sending the Barcelona supporters into wild celebrations. The late drama continued as Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger was sent off after an altercation with officials, capping a frustrating night for the Los Blancos.
Match Statistics and Reaction
Barcelona finished with 41% possession compared to Real Madrid’s 59%, but they made their chances count, taking 15 shots with seven on target against Madrid’s 22 shots and nine on target. Lamine Yamal was named Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, contributing two assists and constantly troubling the Madrid defense.
This victory not only adds another trophy to Barcelona’s illustrious history but also positions them well for a potential treble this season under coach Hansi Flick. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid faces a tough road ahead, needing to regroup after falling short in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey.
Looking Ahead
Barcelona will now shift their focus to the Champions League, where they will face Inter Milan in the semi-finals, while Real Madrid must prepare for a crucial La Liga clash against Celta Vigo on May 4, a must-win to keep their title hopes alive.
