Barcelona secured a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid after extra time, with Jules Kounde’s late strike clinching the 2025 Copa del Rey title in a thrilling final on Saturday in Seville.
Chasing a quadruple this season, the Catalans lifted the first major trophy under Hansi Flick and extended their Spanish Cup record to 32 titles.
Pedri gave Barcelona the lead at La Cartuja, but Real Madrid responded with two quick goals from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni in the second half.
However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra time, and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.
Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for appearing to throw an object onto the pitch towards the referee, and Lucas Vázquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest.
“It was a good time to bring joy to our fans — we have to enjoy it but without forgetting the Champions League semis are coming,” Torres told La 1, with Barca hosting Inter Milan on Wednesday.
“They can make a party — for today, it’s OK,” a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.
Madrid started with top scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle injury and lost Ferland Mendy early on with a thigh issue.
Carlo Ancelotti sent on Fran Garcia in his place, with the job of shackling Barcelona’s dazzling teenage winger Lamine Yamal.
The 17-year-old Spain star, who dyed his hair blond for the game, led the assault on Thibaut Courtois’ goal.
The Catalans, who won the first two Clasicos this season in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, scoring nine goals in the process, controlled the ball.
They took the lead after 28 minutes, Pedri placing the ball into the top corner with precision and power from the edge of the box.
It was a sensational goal, starting with a smart Pau Cubarsi interception in his half.
Pedri spread the play out to Yamal on the right, who cut inside and held the ball up until the Canary Islander arrived with a sight of goal.
Barcelona’s opener brought a defensive Madrid out of their shell — and also Mbappe off the bench to warm up.
The excellent Jude Bellingham netted but was offside, and Vinicius Junior would have won a penalty as Inigo Martinez hacked him down but had also strayed off in the build-up.
Barcelona could have doubled their lead, with Dani Olmo’s corner evading several players and bouncing off the far post, with Cubarsi unable to get there as Dani Ceballos held him back.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was lenient with some heated Madrid tackles, perhaps cowed by Friday’s drama as the Spanish champions seethed at his pre-match comments denouncing attacks on officials by the club’s television channel.
Madrid sent Mbappé on for Rodrygo Goes at half-time, and soon he and Vinicius began to work on Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
End To End
Mbappe pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute.
The striker surged forward and was brought down on the edge of the box, firing the free kick home off the post.
Seven minutes later, Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni finding space to head Arda Guler’s corner past the helpless Szczesny.
Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard pipped them there and rolled home.
Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra time.
Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger appeared to bring down Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure from Raul Asencio.
However, the referee, called to review the incident by VAR, overturned his decision.
In extra time, Barcelona were ascendant and probed for a potential winner.
They eventually found it when Kounde intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois from outside the box, sparking wild celebrations.
Rudiger’s late red card and Madrid’s pre-match tensions with the officiating team ensure the rivalry remains heated ahead of their next La Liga clash in May, which could decide the title.
What you should know
Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time to win the 2025 Copa del Rey, marking Hansi Flick’s first major trophy with the club and keeping alive hopes for a historic quadruple.
