In a pulsating Copa del Rey final that lived up to the expectations of an El Clásico, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3–2 after extra time at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville on April 26, 2025. The victory secured Barcelona’s 32nd Copa del Rey title and marked an important milestone for coach Hansi Flick, who celebrated his first major trophy at the helm of the Catalan giants.
Barcelona took an early advantage when Pedri unleashed a stunning long-range strike in the 28th minute, assisted by the lively Lamine Yamal, giving the Blaugrana a deserved lead. However, Real Madrid responded strongly after the break, with Kylian Mbappé curling home a free-kick in the 70th minute, his first-ever career free-kick goal—to bring the game level. Just five minutes later, Aurélien Tchouaméni added to Barcelona’s woes, heading in a second for Madrid to put them ahead.
Despite falling behind, Barcelona showed resilience. Ferran Torres, later named Man of the Match, scored an equalizer in the 84th minute after a brilliant team move, sending the final into extra time. As the match wore on and fatigue set in, it was Barcelona who found the decisive moment. In the 116th minute, Jules Koundé capitalized on a defensive lapse by Real Madrid, firing home the winning goal to seal a famous victory for the Catalan side.
The match was not without controversy. A potential penalty for Real Madrid was overturned following a VAR review due to an offside in the buildup, sparking frustration among the Madrid players and coaching staff. Tempers flared after the final whistle, culminating in Antonio Rüdiger, who had already been substituted, receiving a red card for confronting the referee and allegedly throwing ice at him.
Amidst the drama, Barcelona’s youthful energy stood out, particularly through Lamine Yamal, whose fearless performance under pressure highlighted the bright future ahead for the club. His playful moment collecting his winner’s medal wearing two pairs of sunglasses even added a touch of humor to a fiercely contested night.
With the Copa del Rey secured and the Supercopa de España already in the cabinet, Barcelona’s season continues on a high as they now prepare for a Champions League semifinal clash against Inter Milan. For Real Madrid, attention turns back to the LaLiga race, where they must now chase Barcelona, who sit four points clear with five games to go.
This latest El Clásico chapter, filled with drama, skill, and heart, will surely be remembered as one of the most thrilling finals in recent Spanish football history.
