Seville, Spain—FC Barcelona emerged victorious in a captivating Copa del rey final against arch-rival real Madrid on Saturday, securing a record-extending 32nd title. The match, held in seville, concluded with a 3-2 scoreline after a grueling extra time period, showcasing the resilience adn determination of both teams.

First Half Dominance and Tactical Shifts

Barcelona initiated the scoring in Seville, with midfielder Pedri finding the net. The play originated from a masterful block near Barcelona’s penalty area by Pau Cubarsi,who then launched a pinpoint long ball to set Pedri in motion.

Lamine Yamal played a crucial role, holding up the ball in Madrid’s box before delivering a cool diagonal pass for Pedri that landed perfectly for the shot. Pedri then fired the ball past Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, giving Barcelona an early lead.

Real Madrid’s Comeback and Barcelona’s Response

The second half saw real Madrid mount a comeback, fueled by strategic substitutions from manager Carlo Ancelotti, who introduced veteran Luka Modric and Arda Guler. These changes injected energy into Madrid’s attack, shifting the momentum of the game.

Kylian Mbappe equalized for Real Madrid in the 70th minute with a rare converted free kick after frenkie de Jong committed a tactical foul, tugging at Mbappe’s shirt. Seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni scored a header from a corner, seemingly putting Madrid in control.

Late Drama and Extra time Heroics

Despite missing key player Robert Lewandowski due to injury, Barcelona found a way to respond. Lamine Yamal initiated a play that saw Ferran Torres outmaneuver both Antonio Rudiger and Courtois, slotting the ball into a pretty much empty net from a tight angle in the 84th minute.

The equalizer set the stage for a tense extra time period. Fermin Lopez provided a spark for Barcelona, creating dangerous opportunities, while Gavi focused on containing Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham.

Kounde’s Decisive Goal

With penalties looming,Jules Kounde intercepted a pass from Luka Modric intended for Brahim Diaz in the 116th minute. Kounde seized the opportunity and fired the ball past Courtois, sending the Barcelona team and fans into celebration.

This goal not only secured the win but also potentially cemented Kounde’s legacy at the club. The defender’s late heroics were crucial in clinching the title. The atmosphere was electric as the defender fired past Courtois to send Culers present,plus head coach Hansi Flick and the bench,into raptures.

Looking Ahead

Barcelona’s Copa del Rey victory keeps their hopes of a quadruple alive.The team had previously secured another RFEF title at the turn of 2025 in the Spanish Super Cup also claimed at Madrid’s expense and currently leads La Liga by four points.

The team is set to face Inter milan in Montjuic for the first leg of a Champions League semifinal clash on Wednesday.