Barcelona stay on track for the treble after a dramatic 3-2 win over Actual Madrid in a exceptional Copa del Rey closing.
There had been discuss of Madrid boycotting the ultimate because of dissatisfaction with the appointment of the referee and VAR official, and there can be loads of contentious selections in a traditional showpiece in Seville.
Barca took the lead with a shocking long-range opener from Pedri, however the introduction of Kylian Mbappe, who had missed the final two league video games with an ankle harm, turned the tide in Madrid’s favour.
He levelled with a Seventieth-minute free-kick earlier than Aurelien Tchouameni powered them forward, just for Ferran Torres to degree late on with a splendidly composed end.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was positioned within the highlight when he pointed to the penalty spot within the 96th minute after Raphinha went down below a problem from Raul Asencio, solely to then reverse his choice after a VAR evaluation.
However Barca made positive an exciting contest wouldn’t be settled by penalties, Jules Kounde the unlikely supply of a 116th-minute winner as they secured a document thirty second Copa del Rey title, although the conclusion was marred as Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger was despatched off for throwing an object on the referee from the dugout within the closing seconds. Lucas Vazquez was additionally despatched off for his half within the incident.
THE COPA IS OURS! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/WLcjstoG6y
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 26, 2025
Barcelona v Actual Madrid
Barca compelled Thibaut Courtois into an important save within the twenty first minute when the Belgian turned Kounde’s header in opposition to the woodwork and behind after the France defender rose to fulfill Raphinha’s free-kick.
However simply seven minutes later Barca did take the lead in elegant vogue with a objective that began when Pau Cubarsi made an outstanding interception to cease a Madrid counter.
Pedri collected the unfastened ball and performed an ideal lengthy cross to the best wing for Lamine Yamal, who labored his method down the byline earlier than discovering a spot between three masking Madrid defenders to put the ball off for the onrushing Pedri, who beat Courtois with a wondrous strike into the top-left nook.
Jude Bellingham appeared to have discovered a fast response, just for his close-range strike to be dominated out for offside. After Dani Olmo went near scoring direct from a nook on the different finish, Madrid have been denied a penalty for a similar cause when Vinicius Junior went down within the space.
Carlo Ancelotti made the choice to throw on Mbappe after the break, and it proved an instrumental one, offering Madrid with attacking impetus that was obviously absent within the first half.
Nonetheless, Madrid have been pissed off as Vinicius was twice denied by Wojciech Szczesny, and the Brazil ahead was later responsible of an excessive amount of hesitation after one other opening created largely due to the specter of Mbappe went begging.
However Mbappe ensured Madrid’s much-improved second-half efficiency did yield dividends after he was fouled on the sting of the world by Frenkie de Jong. Madrid appeared livid De Jong was not despatched off, but Mbappe nonetheless exacted punishment with a wonderful low free-kick that flew in off the publish.
And 7 minutes later the turnaround was accomplished, Tchouameni rising to energy Arda Guler’s free-kick past a helpless Szczesny.
There can be one other twist within the story, although, one which was foreshadowed when Yamal compelled Courtois right into a diving save with a bending effort.
It was Yamal who would once more present the help as Barca levelled in spectacular vogue, his completely weighted lofted cross down the best beautifully managed by Torres, who nonchalantly stroked the ball house after rounding Courtois.
Barca then seemed to be getting ready to finishing the turnaround when Bengoetxea risked Madrid’s fury by awarding a penalty as Asencio appeared to carry down Raphinha. Nevertheless, a visit to the pitchside monitor, preceded by Madrid protests, modified his thoughts.
Nonetheless, Barca have been the stronger aspect in additional time and, though Torres let two presentable alternatives go begging, they finally discovered the winner as Kounde’s drive proved far too highly effective for Courtois’ drained and despairing dive.
There was nonetheless time for the main target to be switched again to the referee, who rightly gave Rudiger and Vazquez their marching orders after unsavoury scenes that have been removed from befitting of a bewitching contest.
