In a Copa del Rey final for the ages, Jules Kounde etched his name into Barcelona folklore with a dramatic extra-time winner, securing a pulsating 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid. The triumph at a packed stadium not only delivered a record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title for the Blaugrana but also inflicted a third consecutive El Clasico defeat on Los Blancos for the first time in two years.
The pre-match atmosphere was thick with tension, fueled by Real Madrid’s expressed discontent regarding the appointed referee, Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea. However, once the whistle blew, Barcelona seized the initiative. Jules Kounde threatened early, heading over from a Dani Olmo corner, before Real Madrid suffered an early setback with Ferland Mendy forced off due to injury following a collision.
Barcelona continued to press, with Lamine Yamal and Kounde forcing saves from Thibaut Courtois. The Catalan giants’ persistence paid off in the 29th minute through a beautifully worked goal. Pedri orchestrated the move, finding Yamal who cleverly cut the ball back for the midfielder to unleash an unstoppable strike past Courtois. Barcelona nearly doubled their lead before the break when Olmo’s corner grazed the post.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti introduced Kylian Mbappe at half-time in a bid to change the tide. The early stages of the second half saw chances for Vinicius Junior, who was twice denied by a resilient Wojciech Szczesny. The game opened up, with both Vinicius Junior and Mbappe threatening the Barcelona goal.
Against the run of play, Real Madrid found an equaliser in the 71st minute. Mbappe, who had been a lively presence since his introduction, curled a direct free-kick in off the post, marking his first such goal in his career. The momentum swung entirely in Real’s favour just eight minutes later when Aurelien Tchouameni rose highest to powerfully head home from an Arda Guler corner, turning the scoreline on its head.
However, Barcelona showed immense character, and they found an equaliser in the 85th minute. The dynamic Yamal turned provider, delivering a sublime pass for Ferran Torres, who calmly rounded Courtois and slotted into the empty net.
The drama continued into the dying moments of regulation time. Barcelona thought they had a golden opportunity to win it when a penalty was awarded for a challenge on Raphinha, but VAR intervened, and the decision was overturned, with the Brazilian booked for simulation.
Extra time saw both sides searching for the decisive goal. Torres went close for Barcelona, but it was an unlikely hero who ultimately sealed the victory. In the 112th minute, Kounde pounced on a costly misplaced pass from Luka Modric, drilling a brilliant low finish into the bottom corner, sparking scenes of wild celebration among the Barcelona players and fans.
This hard-fought victory delivers Hansi Flick his first piece of silverware as Barcelona manager and will serve as a significant psychological blow to Real Madrid ahead of their next El Clasico encounter on May 11th. For Barcelona, this Copa del Rey triumph marks a major step in their quest for a potential treble this season.
