In a thrilling final at La Cartuja Stadium, FC Barcelona secured a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid after extra time, clinching the 2025 Copa del Rey title. In a thrilling climax, Jules Koundé scored the pivotal goal in the 112th minute, a milestone achievement for manager Hansi Flick as he secures his first major trophy with the club, while also bringing Barcelona’s Copa del Rey trophy tally to an impressive 32. The match was marked by early injuries that threw both teams off balance, coupled with a flurry of stunning goals and controversial refereeing calls that ignited heated discussions. Real Madrid faced considerable disciplinary issues, culminating in two red cards issued towards the match’s conclusion. This triumph positions Barcelona firmly on the path toward an unprecedented quadruple, as they have already claimed the Spanish Super Cup, are currently leading La Liga, and have advanced to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League.
Match Report: A Clásico for the Ages. First Half: Barcelona Dominates as Pedri Breaks the Deadlock
In a disappointing turn of events, Real Madrid faced a big problem early in the game when Ferland Mendy had to leave because of a thigh injury just 12 minutes in, leading Carlo Ancelotti to bring in Fran García.
Mendy’s absence made it easier for Barcelona’s talented 17-year-old, Lamine Yamal, to exploit the space.
Barcelona took control of the match and scored in the 28th minute when Pedri found the net. After Pau Cubarsí stole the ball, Yamal skillfully moved inside and passed it to Pedri, who shot it powerfully into the top corner, leaving Thibaut Courtois with no chance. Madrid struggled to get back on track before halftime, with Jude Bellingham having a goal disallowed for offside and Vinícius Jr. not getting a penalty after a challenge from Iñigo Martínez, which VAR ruled offside due to infringement in the buildup.
Second Half: Mbappé Sparks a Real Madrid Revival
In a bold move at halftime, Ancelotti brought on Kylian Mbappé, who had been dealing with an ankle injury, swapping him for Rodrygo.
The French star made his presence felt right away. In the 70th minute, Mbappé won a free-kick just outside the box and brilliantly curled his shot off the post and into the net, tying the game. Just seven minutes later, Aurélien Tchouaméni jumped highest to head in a corner from Arda Güler, completing Madrid’s comeback. But Barcelona wasn’t done yet. In the 84th minute, Yamal delivered a lovely chipped pass to Ferran Torres, who managed to fend off Antonio Rüdiger and calmly slotted it past Courtois, pushing the match into extra time.
Extra Time: Koundé’s Decisive Strike Amid Madrid’s Collapse
During extra time, Barcelona demonstrated their dominance as the weariness became more evident.
The turning point arrived in the 112th minute when Jules Koundé intercepted a misplayed pass from Luka Modrić, charged into space, and executed a precise low shot that beat Courtois. As the match neared its end, tensions flared for Madrid, leading to Antonio Rüdiger’s ejection for throwing an object at the referee, followed closely by Lucas Vázquez’s dismissal for dissent, which only intensified Madrid’s woes.
