It was late into the night at Estadio La Cartuja when Jules Koundé became the hero Barcelona had been waiting for. With just four minutes remaining in extra time, he smashed a shot into the net, sending the fans behind the goal into raptures. After a long, exhausting battle, Barcelona finally had their hands on the Copa del Rey, winning a clásico final for the first time in over a decade. They had led, fallen behind, seen a penalty decision come and go, but ultimately emerged victorious, defeating Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time.
The final was a gripping, exhausting epic that swung back and forth relentlessly. Goals came from some of the game’s brightest stars: Pedri opened the scoring, Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni turned it around for Madrid, and Ferran Torres rescued Barcelona late in normal time before Koundé sealed it. It was a match filled with drama, quality, and controversy, showcasing all the beauty and tension that defines this fierce rivalry.
The night had its controversial moments, none more dramatic than the penalty incident in the dying seconds of normal time. Barcelona thought they had a golden chance to win it when a foul on Raphinha led to a spot-kick being awarded. But after a long VAR review, the referee reversed his decision, leaving the match to be decided in extra time. The tension was palpable, and the exhausted players somehow found the energy to keep fighting.
The match had started with Barcelona dominating possession, barely allowing Madrid a touch of the ball in the opening minute. Their control was rewarded when Pedri finished off a beautiful move to give them the lead. Madrid thought they had equalised twice before the break, but both times the offside flag came to Barcelona’s rescue. At half-time, it seemed Barcelona were cruising.
Everything changed with the introduction of Kylian Mbappé and a more aggressive Madrid approach. Mbappé quickly made an impact, winning a free-kick and then curling it beyond Szczesny to level the score. His celebration, calm and composed, signalled that Madrid had truly arrived. Soon after, Madrid’s momentum continued when Tchouaméni powered a header into the net, completing the comeback.
Even as Madrid celebrated, signs of trouble appeared. Antonio Rüdiger, injured in the build-up to Tchouaméni’s goal, struggled through the final stages. His lack of mobility was brutally exposed when Ferran Torres raced past him to slot home an equaliser with just minutes left. It was a cruel twist for Madrid, who thought they were minutes from victory.
As extra time began, the game remained wide open. Ferran Torres came close, Jude Bellingham launched himself into a diving header, and Mbappé had a penalty ruled out for offside. Every attack carried danger, every clearance was desperate. The tension was unbearable.
Finally, with penalties looming, Koundé delivered the decisive blow. Collecting a loose ball, he struck cleanly and truly, sending it past Courtois and into the back of the net. The Barcelona bench emptied in celebration, while Madrid’s players slumped to the ground, exhausted and heartbroken.
It was a final that had everything: passion, controversy, drama, and ultimately a moment of brilliance to settle it. Barcelona, living dangerously with their high defensive line and surviving Madrid’s furious fightback, had done just enough. The Copa del Rey was theirs once more, a fitting reward for a night of unforgettable football.
