Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid (3-2 AET): Talking points as Blaugrana claim Copa del Rey at Los Blancos expense

In a pulsating 2025 Copa del Rey final at Seville’s Estadio La Cartuja on April 26, Barcelona edged Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time, clinching their 32nd title in Spain’s premier cup competition. This El Clasico showdown, the first Copa del Rey final between the two giants since 2014, delivered on the promise, consisting of great football, drama, controversy, and a memorable finish.

The Catalans took the lead through Pedri in the 28th minute, but Real overturned the scoreline in the second half, courtesy of Kylian Mbappe (70′) and Aurelien Tchouameni (77′). Ferran Torres restored parity in the 84th, sending the game into extra time, where Jules Kounde struck what turned out to be the winner in the 116th.

Teams

Though Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned from long-term injury to make the squad, Wojciech Szczesny kept his place between the posts for Barcelona. In defence, Kounde and Gerard Martin flanked centre-backs Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez. Pedri was joined by Frenkie de Jong in the middle of the park, while the trio of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Raphinha supported Torres in attack.

Meanwhile, for Real, Thibaut Courtois was in goal, with the back four of Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger, Raul Asencio and Lucas Vazquez. Fede Valverde and Tchouameni paired up the heart of defence, and with Mbappe initially left on the bench, Vinicius Junior moved to the central attacking role, supported by Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes.

Match recap

Barcelona asserted early dominance, controlling possession and tempo. Their efforts paid off in the 28th minute when Pedri opened the scoring, slotting home after a clever assist from teenager Lamine Yamal. The Catalans maintained their lead into halftime, with Real Madrid struggling to create clear-cut chances.

The second half saw a rejuvenated Madrid, spurred by the introduction of Kylian Mbappé. In the 70th minute, Mbappe leveled the match with a sublime free-kick. Just seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni headed in a corner, giving Madrid a 2-1 advantage.

Barcelona, undeterred, pressed for an equalizer. Their persistence was rewarded in the 84th minute when Ferran Torres capitalized on a defensive lapse, bringing the score to 2-2 and forcing extra time.

As the prospect of a penalty shootout loomed, the decisive moment arrived in the 116th minute. Kounde intercepted a misplaced pass from Real substitute Brahim Diaz and unleashed a powerful shot from 25 yards, beating Thibaut Courtois and snatching the victory for Barcelona.

The match was not without controversy. A late Barcelona penalty was overturned by VAR, and a potential Madrid penalty was nullified due to an offside call. Tensions boiled over at the final whistle, with three Madrid players – Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, and Jude Bellingham – receiving red cards for dissent.

Impact

This victory marks the first major trophy under manager Hansi Flick and keeps Barcelona on course for a potential treble, as they remain contenders in both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. The win also underscores Barcelona’s dominance over their rivals this season, having defeated Madrid in all three encounters.

It also reinforces the perception of a fantastic job Flick has done since joining the club at a relatively difficult moment, when financial problems threatened to spoil Barcelona’s chance of success this season. The German tactician has put together a squad simply bursting with talent, with a wonderful mixture of youth and experience.

For Real Madrid, the defeat is a significant setback, potentially leaving them without silverware this season. With five league games remaining, including another Clasico on May 11, they trail Barcelona by four points. The loss also raises questions about the team’s discipline and composure in high-stakes matches, though for the likes of Bellingham and Rudiger, such behaviour is far from surprising.

If, as expected, Ancelotti steps down from his role at the end of the season, whoever takes his place (Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen is reportedly the main candidate) will face a tough task of getting his star players to show maturity and composure under pressure.

Overall, the 2025 Copa del Rey final will be remembered as one of the most thrilling and emotionally charged El Clasicos in recent history, showcasing the enduring intensity of this storied rivalry.