Copa del Rey Final: Barcelona Claims Record-Extending 32nd Title

Barcelona wins the Copa del Rey title with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in extra time. Jules Kounde scores the winning goal.

Barcelona won a thrilling Copa del Rey final, defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in extra time. Jules Kounde scored the dramatic winner, securing Barcelona's record-extending 32nd title.

The match was marked by controversy before kickoff, with Real Madrid expressing grievances over the choice of referee, Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea. However, Barcelona dominated the early exchanges, with Kounde heading over from a corner. Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy was replaced by Fran Garcia early on due to injury.

Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save, parrying Kounde's header from Raphinha's free-kick with a one-handed effort. However, Barcelona's breakthrough came in the 29th minute with a beautifully crafted goal. Pedri picked out Lamine Yamal, who cut the ball back to Pedri, allowing him to unleash a powerful drive past Courtois.

As momentum swung in Barcelona's favor, they nearly scored a second goal before halftime. Dani Olmo's corner kick flew across the goalmouth, clipping the post narrowly.

Carlo Ancelotti introduced Kylian Mbappe at halftime, but surprisingly, it was two Real Madrid starters who almost equalized. Jude Bellingham set up Vinicius Junior with a precise pass, only for Wojciech Szczesny to make two crucial saves in quick succession.

The match opened up in the second half, with Vinicius Junior and Mbappe combining in a promising attack. Mbappe's strike was blocked by Jules Kounde, and Vinicius Junior's follow-up shot sailed narrowly past the post, showcasing the intense rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Raphinha struggled to make an impact in the match, missing two promising chances with blistering counterattacks that ultimately proved costly. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé stepped up and scored a crucial goal, but reports suggest the free-kick goal against Barcelona might not be his first direct free-kick goal. According to some sources, Mbappé had already scored a free-kick goal in a match against Leganés on March 29, 2025. In that match, Real Madrid won 3-2, with Mbappé scoring twice, including one from a penalty kick and another from a free kick. However, some fans argue that the free-kick goal in the Leganés match wasn't direct, as Fran Garcia touched the ball before Mbappé scored.

Mbappé's performance in the match against Leganés showcased his skill and versatility. He scored two goals, bringing his total goal count to 32 in 31 games for Real Madrid, matching Cristiano Ronaldo's record in his debut season. The French star's ability to score from different situations, including penalty kicks and free kicks, has solidified his position among football's elite.

THE COPA IS OURS! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/WLcjstoG6y

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 26, 2025

Real Madrid gained momentum when Aurélien Tchouameni scored a brilliant header from Arda Guler's corner, putting Barcelona on the back foot. However, Barcelona equalized with Yamal providing a beautiful assist for Torres to slot the ball past Courtois into an empty net.

The match took another dramatic turn when a potential penalty for Barcelona was overturned after a VAR review, booking Raphinha for simulation. In extra time, Ferran Torres continued to threaten Real Madrid's goal, flashing a shot wide after a pass from Raphinha. Ultimately, Jules Kounde's dramatic extra-time winner sealed Barcelona's 3-2 victory.

Jules Kounde proved to be the hero, scoring a brilliant finish into the bottom corner after capitalizing on a costly misplaced pass by Luka Modric. This decisive goal handed Barcelona a thrilling 3-2 win over Real Madrid in extra time.

The victory marks a significant psychological blow for Real Madrid ahead of their next El Clasico meeting on May 11th. For Barcelona, this win represents the first trophy of their quest for a treble under Hansi Flick's management.

PARTY TIME! 🎊 pic.twitter.com/VgmGUxGTU7

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 27, 2025