The focus on referees masks bigger issues for Ancelotti’s side after another setback against their rivalsSEVILLE, Spain — Jules Koundé emerged as Barcelona's unlikely savior, sealing a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Real Madrid at La Cartuja on Saturday to clinch the Copa del Rey in a gripping Clásico clash.
With the tension building and a penalty shootout looming, Koundé intercepted a loose Madrid pass in the 116th minute and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, delivering Barça their first silverware under Hansi Flick — and potentially the first step toward a historic treble. Pedri’s first-half strike had initially put Barça in front, only for Madrid to respond with a
quickfire double from substitute Kylian
Barcelona vs Real Madrid 3-2
Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni early in the second half. Ferran Torres then rescued Barça in the 84th minute, rounding Thibaut Courtois to level the score and send the match into extra time — but not before late controversy struck.
In the dying seconds of regulation, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea awarded a penalty after Raúl Asencio appeared to foul Raphinha. Barcelona’s fans erupted in celebration, only for VAR official Pablo González Fuertes to call for a review. After an agonizing delay, De Burgos reversed his decision, determining that Raphinha had gone down too easily. What could have been a match-deciding penalty instead turned into extra time drama.
Despite the reversal favoring Madrid, it was Barcelona who triumphed. Koundé's late goal was the final blow, sending Barça fans into raptures while Madrid’s frustrations boiled over. Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez were both sent off after the final whistle, and staff had to restrain Jude Bellingham and others from confronting the officials.
The night’s controversies capped off a week of intense scrutiny on officiating in Spain. Madrid had stoked the fire before the match, criticizing what they called “hostility” from officials and even hinting at a potential boycott, though they later denied those rumors.
Barcelona, meanwhile, look ahead with growing confidence. With a Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan on the horizon and a four-point lead over Madrid in LaLiga, Flick’s side dreams of completing a treble. And on May 11, the two sides will clash once more — potentially with the league title on the line.
Flick’s Barcelona Outlast Madrid Amid Referee Drama to Win Copa del Rey
Barcelona’s 32nd Copa del Rey triumph wasn’t just another trophy — it was a statement. Overcoming controversy, fierce rivalry, and late-
game chaos, Hansi Flick’s side showed resilience and nerve, edging out Real Madrid 2-1 after extra time at La CARTA.
In a final already clouded by refereeing controversy before a ball had been kicked, it was almost inevitable that the match would deliver late drama. Ferran Torres drew Barça level in the 84th minute after rounding Thibaut Courtois, forcing extra time. Yet, before the additional 30 minutes could begin.
The biggest talking point emerged: a 96th-minute penalty call.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea initially pointed to the spot after Raúl Asunción’s challenge on Raphinha. Celebrations erupted among Barça players and fans — but the moment didn't last. Following a lengthy VAR review, De Burgos
Barcelona’s 32nd Copa del Rey triumph
overturned the decision, ruling that Raphinha had gone to ground too easily. It was a decision that seemed to favor Madrid, yet Jules Koundé's extra-time winner ensured justice, at least in Barça eyes, was ultimately served.
Despite the crucial penalty reversal, Real Madrid's frustrations boiled over. Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez both saw red cards after the final whistle, while tempers flared between Madrid players and officials. Madrid's growing resentment towards refereeing standards in Spain is unlikely to dissipate.
For Barcelona, however, the night belonged to Flick’s revolution. After losing all three Clásicos last season, Barça have now beaten Madrid three times under Flick — with a fourth meeting still to come. Pedro’s exquisite opener, followed by Barça’s fightback after falling behind, underscored their growing belief and tactical evolution.
With a Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan and a four-point Lalita lead over Madrid, dreams of a historic treble are very much alive at Camp Nou. As Flick himself put it: "It's OK to dream" — and Barcelona are daring to believe once again.
Walking into La CARTA before kickoff, Kylian Mbappé hardly looked like a man about to change the course of a Copa del Rey final. He appeared subdued and cautious, his expression heavy, reflecting a player still recovering from a sprained ankle suffered just 10 days prior. Unsurprisingly, when Real Madrid's starting lineup was announced, his name was missing.
Without him, Carlo Ancelotti opted for Vinícius Júnior as the lone striker, supported by Jude Bellingham and Rodrigo on the flanks. Madrid struggled offensively in the first half, registering just one shot — a blocked attempt by Fran García — and generating a paltry 0.06 expected goals (kg). Their only real moment came when Vinícius, briefly slipping behind Barça’s defense, was fouled — though the offside flag ruled it out. Meanwhile, Mbappé was warming up, growing more active by halftime.
When the teams returned for the second half, Mbappé joined the fray — and instantly, Madrid looked sharper. Vinícius forced a smart save from Wojciech Szczęsny, and moments later, Mbappé himself tormented the Barcelona defense before Szczęsny again came to Barça’s rescue.
However, there was no stopping Mbappé's brilliance in the 70th minute. After Madrid began committing more players forward, spurred by Ancelotti’s introduction of Luka Modrić and Arda Güler, the game opened up — and so did Mbappé. A slick nutmeg move led to a foul from Frenkie de Jong just outside the box. From the resulting free-kick, Mbappé scored his first-ever direct free-kick goal, curling it past Szczecin with clinical precision.
It marked yet another final in which Mbappé had found the net — having already scored in the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup, Spanish Supernova, and now the Copa del Rey. Though questions linger about whether his arrival has disrupted Madrid's balance, Mbappé's undeniable brilliance on nights like this shows that, with the right setup, he remains capable of greatness — even if Real Madrid’s season ultimately ends short of their loftiest ambitions.
