In a very exciting night of soccer on April 26, 2025, FC Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time to win the Copa del Rey final. The match was played at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville and it was full of drama, goals, and surprises. With this win, Barcelona lifted their 32nd Copa del Rey trophy, continuing their record as the club with the most titles in the competition.
Before the match even started, there was controversy. The original referee who was supposed to handle the final was removed just hours before kickoff. Many reports said that Real Madrid was not happy with the first referee choice because of decisions he had made in the past. Because of the pressure, the referee was changed at the last minute. Some people think this situation created tension before the game even began.
When the match started, Barcelona looked sharp and hungry. They controlled the ball and attacked with a lot of energy. In the 28th minute, young star Pedri gave Barcelona the lead with a brilliant goal. He started the move with a smart pass, continued his run into the box, and smashed the ball into the net. Barcelona fans were celebrating loudly as they saw their team take control.
In the second half, Real Madrid came out stronger. They made some important changes by bringing in big players like Kylian Mbappé. It did not take long for Mbappé to make an impact. He scored a wonderful goal from a direct free kick to bring the score to 1-1. A few minutes later, Real Madrid scored again. This time it was Aurélien Tchouaméni who rose highest to head the ball into the goal. Suddenly, Real Madrid was leading 2-1 and looked like they were going to win.
But Barcelona did not give up. They fought back bravely and kept pushing forward. Their efforts were rewarded in the 85th minute when Ferran Torres found the equalizer. He finished off a quick move inside the box, making it 2-2 and forcing the game into extra time. The Barcelona players showed a lot of character to come back against a strong Madrid side.
In extra time, both teams had chances to score but it was Barcelona who made it count. In the 116th minute, defender Jules Koundé scored the winning goal. Real Madrid’s defense made a mistake, and Koundé was quick to take advantage, putting the ball into the back of the net. Barcelona players and fans exploded with joy knowing they were just minutes away from lifting the trophy.
At the final whistle, Barcelona celebrated their hard-fought victory. Their coach, Hansi Flick, praised his players for their hard work and spirit. He said it was a perfect night for Barcelona and that winning a title against Real Madrid made it even more special. In a beautiful gesture of sportsmanship, Hansi Flick also gathered all his players to form a guard of honour for Real Madrid during the medal ceremony, showing great respect for their rivals.
For Real Madrid, this defeat was a big disappointment. It means that they will finish the season without winning any trophies. After investing a lot of money in big players like Kylian Mbappé, the season has ended in frustration for Madrid fans. Meanwhile, for Barcelona, the dream of winning a treble is still alive. They have already won the Spanish Super Cup, now they have the Copa del Rey, and they are leading in La Liga. They are also preparing to play in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.
This Copa del Rey final will be remembered as one of the most thrilling El Clásico matches ever. It had everything fans love about soccer: passion, goals, comebacks, and drama. For Barcelona, it was a night of glory. For Real Madrid, it was a night to forget.
