In a thrilling conclusion to the Copa del Rey Clasico final held in Seville, Barcelona’s defender Jules Kounde emerged as the decisive hero, scoring a late goal in extra time to secure a 3-2 victory over their rivals Real Madrid. This triumph marked a significant milestone for Barcelona, as it not only represents the first major trophy under the leadership of coach Hansi Flick but also extends their record for the most victories in the history of the Spanish cup, now totaling 32.
The match commenced at the iconic La Cartuja Stadium, with Barcelona taking an early lead when Pedri expertly executed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, finding the top corner of the net. However, the encounter quickly turned challenging for the Catalan giants. Real Madrid responded with remarkable resilience, leveling the score with two rapid goals within a span of just seven minutes — first through Kylian Mbappe, who netted a well-placed free-kick, followed by Aurelien Tchouameni’s header from a corner.
In a remarkable display of tenacity, Barcelona restored parity late in regular time with Ferran Torres scoring in the 84th minute, thus pushing the game into extra time. It was Kounde, however, who sealed the match for the La Liga leaders, capitalizing on a rare mistake from Luka Modric and unleashing a powerful shot outside the box to send the Barcelona faithful into celebration.
The match was not without controversy. Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger received a red card in the dying moments after an incident involving a thrown object towards the officiating team. The match also featured moments of intense debate regarding officiating decisions, particularly a disallowed penalty for Barcelona in stoppage time when VAR intervened to reverse the referee’s initial call.
Despite the challenges, including an injury to Madrid’s left-back Ferland Mendy and a strategic reintroduction of top scorer Mbappe to the game, it was Barcelona’s proactive approach and superior ball control that ultimately set the tone. They had already triumphed in previous encounters against Real Madrid earlier in the season, demonstrating a form that positions them well for a potential quadruple this year.
The victory leaves a lasting impression as both teams prepare to meet again in La Liga next month, with the title race in balance. Barcelona’s triumph represents not just a fleeting moment of glory but a narrative of resilience and expertise that fans will relish as the season progresses.
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