Kounde settles thrilling and fiery final to keep treble dream alive

Barcelona remain on course for the treble after a dramatic 3-2 win over Real Madrid in a remarkable Copa del Rey final.

There had been talk of Madrid boycotting the final due to dissatisfaction with the appointment of the referee and VAR official, and there would be plenty of contentious decisions in a classic showpiece in Seville.

Barca took the lead with a stunning long-range opener from Pedri, but the introduction of Kylian Mbappe, who had missed the last two league games with an ankle injury, turned the tide in Madrid’s favour.

He levelled with a 70th-minute free-kick before Aurelien Tchouameni powered them ahead, only for Ferran Torres to level late on with a wonderfully composed finish.

Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was placed in the spotlight when he pointed to the penalty spot in the 96th minute after Raphinha went down under a challenge from Raul Asencio, only to then reverse his decision after a VAR review.

But Barca made sure a thrilling contest would not be settled by penalties, Jules Kounde the unlikely source of a 116th-minute winner as they secured a record 32nd Copa del Rey title, though the conclusion was marred as Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger was sent off for throwing an object at the referee from the dugout in the closing seconds. Lucas Vazquez was also sent off for his part in the incident.

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

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 26, 2025

Barcelona v Real Madrid

Barca forced Thibaut Courtois into a crucial save in the 21st minute when the Belgian turned Kounde’s header against the woodwork and behind after the France defender rose to meet Raphinha’s free-kick.

But just seven minutes later Barca did take the lead in sublime fashion with a goal that started when Pau Cubarsi made a superb interception to stop a Madrid counter.

Pedri collected the loose ball and played a perfect long pass to the right wing for Lamine Yamal, who worked his way down the byline before finding a gap between three covering Madrid defenders to lay the ball off for the onrushing Pedri, who beat Courtois with a wondrous strike into the top-left corner.

Jude Bellingham appeared to have found a quick response, only for his close-range strike to be ruled out for offside. After Dani Olmo went close to scoring direct from a corner at the other end, Madrid were denied a penalty for the same reason when Vinicius Junior went down in the area.

Carlo Ancelotti made the decision to throw on Mbappe after the break, and it proved an instrumental one, providing Madrid with attacking impetus that was glaringly absent in the first half.

Still, Madrid were frustrated as Vinicius was twice denied by Wojciech Szczesny, and the Brazil forward was later guilty of too much hesitation after another opening created largely because of the threat of Mbappe went begging.

But Mbappe ensured Madrid’s much-improved second-half performance did yield dividends after he was fouled on the edge of the area by Frenkie de Jong. Madrid appeared furious De Jong was not sent off, yet Mbappe still exacted punishment with an excellent low free-kick that flew in off the post.

And seven minutes later the turnaround was completed, Tchouameni rising to power Arda Guler’s free-kick beyond a helpless Szczesny.

There would be another twist in the tale, though, one that was foreshadowed when Yamal forced Courtois into a diving save with a bending effort.

It was Yamal who would again provide the assist as Barca levelled in spectacular fashion, his perfectly weighted lofted pass down the right superbly controlled by Torres, who nonchalantly stroked the ball home after rounding Courtois.

Barca then appeared to be on the brink of completing the turnaround when Bengoetxea risked Madrid’s fury by awarding a penalty as Asencio appeared to bring down Raphinha. However, a trip to the pitchside monitor, preceded by Madrid protests, changed his mind.

Still, Barca were the stronger side in extra time and, although Torres let two presentable opportunities go begging, they eventually found the winner as Kounde’s drive proved far too powerful for Courtois’ tired and despairing dive.

There was still time for the focus to be switched back to the referee, who rightly gave Rudiger and Vazquez their marching orders after unsavoury scenes that were far from befitting of a bewitching contest.