Barcelona have taken the first step towards a third men’s

It was late, well past midnight in Seville, and Barcelona were exhausted, but in the dying moments of extra time, Jules Koundé summoned the strength to strike a shot that flew into the net, sending the Catalan fans into raptures. Fireworks lit up the sky, and Barcelona's players rushed to embrace their hero as they celebrated a dramatic 3-2 win over Real Madrid in one of the most thrilling Copa del Rey finals in recent memory.

The long-anticipated final, which was the first Clasico in the competition for 11 years, had been a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams battling hard through four intense periods. Barcelona had gone from being a goal up to being a goal down, and even thought they had won with a last-minute penalty, only for it to be overturned. But in the end, it was Koundé’s stunning strike that sealed the win.

It was a match of breathtaking action, twists, and tension. Pedri put Barcelona ahead with a stunning first-half goal, but Madrid didn’t back down. Kylian Mbappé equalized from a well-taken free-kick, and then Aurélien Tchouaméni’s header sent Real Madrid into a 2-1 lead. Barcelona responded with Ferran Torres’ calm finish to level things up at 2-2, forcing the match into extra time.

But the real drama came in the final moments of normal time when referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea awarded Barcelona a penalty for a foul on Raphinha. Real Madrid, already agitated after their pre-match boycott, were furious, and as pressure mounted on the official, VAR intervened. After a tense few minutes, the penalty was withdrawn, and the game proceeded to extra time.

As the match dragged on into extra time, it was anyone’s game. Real Madrid had their chances, with Bellingham diving to head and Mbappé seeing a penalty ruled out by the offside flag. But in the 116th minute, it was Koundé who emerged as the hero. He latched onto a loose ball and fired a powerful shot past Courtois to give Barcelona the lead.

The stadium erupted as Barcelona fans celebrated in unison, knowing that the trophy was now within their grasp. Real Madrid, though deeply frustrated by the officiating decisions, had no answer to Koundé’s brilliance. The match ended 3-2 in what will go down as one of the greatest Clasico finals in history.

The game was filled with controversy, not just on the field, but off it too. After Madrid had boycotted pre-match activities and accused officials of bias, the final moments of the match only added fuel to the fire. A penalty given and then overturned, a series of marginal offside calls, and the relentless intensity from both teams made for a spectacle that no one will soon forget.

In the end, Barcelona had the last laugh, but it had been a game that showcased the best of both teams—end-to-end action, high drama, and moments of sheer brilliance. Despite the setbacks and the heartache for Madrid, the final was a fitting spectacle that honored the importance of this competition.

Barcelona’s third Copa del Rey in as many years adds another trophy to their already impressive collection. For Real Madrid, there will be a sense of regret, but they too can hold their heads high after a valiant effort.

With this victory, Barcelona’s momentum is unstoppable, as they aim for even more silverware this season. And as for Koundé, he’ll forever be remembered as the man who delivered the final blow in a final that had everything—tension, drama, and, ultimately, a Barcelona victory.


Posted on April 26, 2025
By [ Wafriknews ]