FC Barcelona captured the 2025 Copa del Rey title on Saturday night after edging arch-rivals Real Madrid 3-2 in a dramatic extra-time showdown at Estadio de La Cartuja.
The intense encounter saw Barcelona draw first blood in the 28th minute, when Pedri finished off a slick move orchestrated by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. But the Catalan side’s lead wouldn’t last forever. In the 70th minute, Kylian Mbappé drew Madrid level with a stunning free-kick — his first from a set-piece since joining the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid then seemed poised for victory when Aurélien Tchouaméni powered home a header just seven minutes later, putting Carlo Ancelotti’s men 2-1 ahead. However, Barcelona refused to fold. With just six minutes left on the clock, Ferran Torres coolly slotted home an equalizer, setting the stage for an electrifying extra-time battle.
The decisive moment arrived in the 116th minute. Barcelona’s Jules Koundé pounced on a misplaced pass from Luka Modrić and punished a rare misjudgment by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, slotting into an empty net to restore Barcelona’s lead.
There was late drama as VAR overturned a potential penalty for Barcelona deep into stoppage time, but it made little difference to the outcome. As the final whistle blew, Barcelona players and fans erupted into celebration, sealing a hard-fought victory and lifting the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2021.
Under the leadership of Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s latest triumph keeps their hopes of a domestic treble alive, with La Liga and the UEFA Champions League still within reach.
“We fought till the end,” Flick said post-match. “This team showed incredible heart and character tonight against one of the best sides in the world.”
The defeat marks a bitter end to Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey campaign, though the Spanish capital club still remain in contention for other silverware this season.
The Estadio de La Cartuja was packed with over 57,000 roaring fans, witnessing yet another classic installment of Spanish football’s fiercest rivalry — a night that will be remembered for years to come.
