Barcelona defeat Real Madrid in overtime to win Copa del Rey title
Jules Kounde's late goal in extra time propelled Barcelona to a thrilling 3-2 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, held under an electric atmosphere at Seville's La Cartuja Stadium on Saturday. With this victory, Barcelona...
TroibNews 
Jules Kounde's late goal in extra time propelled Barcelona to a thrilling 3-2 win over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, held under an electric atmosphere at Seville's La Cartuja Stadium on Saturday.
With this victory, Barcelona claimed their record-extending 32nd Spanish Cup, highlighted by a spectacular strike from Kounde, who found the bottom corner with a low shot from 25 yards out in the 116th minute.
Real Madrid's day ended poorly, as both Antonio Ruediger and Lucas Vazquez, who had been substituted earlier, received red cards for dissent while on the bench. Jude Bellingham also faced expulsion for unsportsmanlike conduct after the final whistle.
Pedri opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 28th minute, executing a stunning curling strike into the top corner from outside the box during a first half that showcased Catalan dominance.
In the second half, however, Real Madrid took charge, with Kylian Mbappe, who had been sidelined at the start due to lack of fitness following an ankle injury, making an impact off the bench and leveling the score with a free-kick goal in the 70th minute.
Seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni put Los Blancos ahead with a powerful header from a corner. Nevertheless, Barcelona's Ferran Torres responded with an equalizer during a counterattack in the 84th minute, forcing the match into extra time.
As the game seemed poised for a penalty shootout, Kounde delivered an emphatic winner, securing German coach Hansi Flick his first major title with Barcelona. This victory underscores a remarkable season for the team, which is also contending for La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, while Real now faces the challenge of avoiding a trophy-less season with just the La Liga race remaining.
"It was a good time to give the fans something to cheer about. Let's enjoy it, but don't overdo it, because the Champions League semifinals are coming up in a few days," said Torres, who was named Man of the Match. "Happy and tired. Without a doubt, it was the most physically demanding game I've played in my life. But we're a great team who never gives up. It tastes better that way, especially when it's Real Madrid in front of us."
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
With this victory, Barcelona claimed their record-extending 32nd Spanish Cup, highlighted by a spectacular strike from Kounde, who found the bottom corner with a low shot from 25 yards out in the 116th minute.
Real Madrid's day ended poorly, as both Antonio Ruediger and Lucas Vazquez, who had been substituted earlier, received red cards for dissent while on the bench. Jude Bellingham also faced expulsion for unsportsmanlike conduct after the final whistle.
Pedri opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 28th minute, executing a stunning curling strike into the top corner from outside the box during a first half that showcased Catalan dominance.
In the second half, however, Real Madrid took charge, with Kylian Mbappe, who had been sidelined at the start due to lack of fitness following an ankle injury, making an impact off the bench and leveling the score with a free-kick goal in the 70th minute.
Seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni put Los Blancos ahead with a powerful header from a corner. Nevertheless, Barcelona's Ferran Torres responded with an equalizer during a counterattack in the 84th minute, forcing the match into extra time.
As the game seemed poised for a penalty shootout, Kounde delivered an emphatic winner, securing German coach Hansi Flick his first major title with Barcelona. This victory underscores a remarkable season for the team, which is also contending for La Liga and UEFA Champions League titles, while Real now faces the challenge of avoiding a trophy-less season with just the La Liga race remaining.
"It was a good time to give the fans something to cheer about. Let's enjoy it, but don't overdo it, because the Champions League semifinals are coming up in a few days," said Torres, who was named Man of the Match. "Happy and tired. Without a doubt, it was the most physically demanding game I've played in my life. But we're a great team who never gives up. It tastes better that way, especially when it's Real Madrid in front of us."
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
