The final of the Copa del Rey between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid was nothing short of a rollercoaster, filled with drama, controversy, and nail-biting moments. The match, held at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, saw Barcelona emerge victorious with a 3-2 win after extra time, securing the coveted title in a fiercely contested encounter that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The match kicked off with a significant setback for Real Madrid as Ferland Mendy suffered a quadriceps injury just eight minutes into the game, forcing Carlo Ancelotti to substitute him with Fran García. Madrid's tactical setup, featuring four midfielders, was immediately put to the test as Barcelona's Pedri opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a stunning strike from outside the box that left goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois no chance.
As the first half progressed, Real Madrid struggled to find their rhythm, with Barcelona dominating possession and creating several chances. A potential penalty for Madrid was denied when Vinicius Junior was ruled offside before being brought down in the box. Despite the setback, Madrid began to find their footing just before halftime, with a disallowed goal from Jude Bellingham for offside adding to their frustrations.
The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum when Kylian Mbappé, who started on the bench due to an ankle sprain, was brought on to replace Rodrygo. His impact was immediate, as he drew a foul from Frenkie de Jong just outside the area, leading to a free kick that he expertly converted in the 69th minute, leveling the score at 1-1. The Frenchman’s powerful shot hit the post before finding the back of the net, igniting hopes for Madrid fans.
Real Madrid took the lead shortly after, in the 76th minute, when Aurélien Tchouaméni scored with a header from a corner taken by Arda Güler, putting the score at 2-1. However, just when it seemed Madrid had the upper hand, Ferran Torres equalized for Barcelona in the 84th minute, capitalizing on a mistake by Courtois, who misjudged a long ball.
The drama continued into the dying minutes of regulation time when a penalty was awarded to Barcelona after a foul by Asencio on Raphinha. However, after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, and Asencio was instead shown a yellow card for simulation, much to the outrage of Barcelona players.
With the match tied at 2-2, the teams headed into extra time. The physical toll of the match was evident as both sides struggled to maintain intensity. In the 110th minute, Koundé scored a crucial goal for Barcelona, making it 3-2 after a well-placed shot that beat Courtois, sealing the victory for the Catalan side.
Throughout the match, several contentious decisions by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea drew criticism from both teams. Madrid felt aggrieved by the lack of a red card for De Jong's foul on Mbappé, while Barcelona protested multiple penalty claims, particularly for a potential foul on Ferran Torres by Antonio Rüdiger.
In the post-match analysis, analysts debated the referee's decisions, with Iturralde González commenting on the yellow card issued to De Jong, stating, "It is yellow because there is a Barcelona player covering from behind and he is not alone. It’s a yellow card." The controversial moments kept the tension high, with both teams feeling they had been wronged at various points during the match.
Ultimately, Barcelona's victory not only secured them the Copa del Rey title but also marked a significant moment in their rivalry with Real Madrid, showcasing their resilience and ability to capitalize on mistakes. The match was a testament to the unpredictable nature of football, where fortunes can change in an instant, and every decision can have monumental consequences.
As the celebrations began for Barcelona, with Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Koundé leading the charge, the Real Madrid players were left to ponder what could have been. With the season winding down, both teams will look ahead to their next challenges, but for now, the Copa del Rey trophy belongs to Barcelona after a thrilling final that will be remembered for years to come.
