Barcelona pip Real Madrid to clinch Copa del Rey

Jules Kounde lashed in an extra-time screamer as Barcelona beat Real Madrid to win the Copa del Rey in a remarkable Clasico in Seville.

After a 2-2 draw in 90 minutes and with penalties appearing inevitable, the Barcelona defender took possession of the ball 22 yards out and drilled a fine effort into the bottom corner.

Barca had been by far the better side in the first half and led through Pedri’s fantastic first-time strike from outside the box after Lamine Yamal’s cut-back.

Real improved dramatically after Kylian Mbappe came on as a substitute, and he curled a free-kick, which he had won, into the bottom corner via the inside of the post.

Aurelien Tchouameni then headed Real ahead from Arda Guler’s corner.

But Barcelona levelled when Ferran Torres ran onto Yamal’s long ball and rounded goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois before slotting in.

Hansi Flick’s side thought they had a chance to win it in injury time when they were awarded a penalty for a Raul Asencio tackle on Raphinha but the decision was overturned after a long video assistant referee check.

That meant the game went to extra time, when Kounde’s fourth goal of the season was the difference.

The build-up to the game had been dominated by scrutiny of the match officials – and it finished with Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez being shown straight red cards from the Real bench.

England midfielder Jude Bellingham was also sent off after the final whistle for angrily confronting officials.

That was the last meaningful act of a first Clasico final in a major tournament since 2014, when Gareth Bale scored a fantastic late winner for Real in a 2-1 victory.
The pre-match build-up had focused on referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Real Madrid.

Real’s TV channel published a video criticising the referee in various aspects, as they have done with other officials, and he talked about the impact that had on him at an emotional news conference on Friday.

The club distributed highly critical press releases that evening, but denied reports they could pull out of the game.

That backdrop meant every decision the referee made was going to be under scrutiny, but to neutral observers there were none too controversial.

Both teams had goals ruled out for clear offsides – and Mbappe was denied a penalty for another clear offside in the build-up.

But the major talking point came in the 96th minute with the game at 2-2.

Asencio slid in on Raphinha, and De Burgos Bengoetxea pointed to the spot. But after a check of over three minutes he came back and booked Raphinha for diving before overturning the decision.

Right at the end of the 120 minutes, it all boiled over. As Mbappe tried to shrug an opponent off, the referee gave a free-kick against him.
The Real Madrid bench was furious. Several players ran onto the pitch and Rudiger appeared to throw something at the official.
Rudiger, who had to be held back by several teammates, and Vazquez were dismissed, and moments later, the final whistle went to confirm Barcelona’s win.
Bellingham also had to be restrained by team-mates after approaching officials in “an aggressive attitude”, for which he was sent off.
Former Bayern Munich boss Flick has now won all three Clasicos since taking charge of Barca in the summer.
One was the Spanish Super Cup final, but this counts as his first major trophy with the Catalans.

Conversely, it could have been Carlo Ancelotti’s last chance to add one final crown at Real. The Italian legend is widely expected to be replaced at the end of the season – and they sit four points behind La Liga leaders Barca, although there is one more Clasico to come in the league.
This was a topsy-turvy game.