Jules Koundé’s Extra-Time Stunner Seals Barcelona’s 3-2 Copa del Rey Triumph, Cementing Dominance Over Real Madrid

In a pulsating Copa Del Rey Final at Seville's La Cartuja Stadium, Barcelona's Jules Koundé released a stunning low strike deeply in extreme time to secure a 3-2 victory over the Arch-rivals Real Madrid, clinching a 32nd Spanish Cup record.

The electrifying clasico, a rollercoaster of Brilliance, Resilience, and Controversy, marked the first major trophy of Hansi Flick's tenure as coach and emphasized Barcelona's amazing resurrection under President Joan Laporta. Through goals from Pedri, Ferran Torres, and Koundé, and a dazzling manifestation from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, Barcelona completed a season sweep of Real Madrid, which has humbled Spanish and Europe's champions in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup.

The victory, the punctuation of a late red card to Antonio Rudiger of Madrid for allegedly throwing something in the referee, not only re -proved Barcelona's dominance but also emphasized their recovery from the financial and competitive depths who once saw Icon Lionel Messi. While the Catalans are chasing a historic triple, this success has signed a new golden season for the La Liga leaders.

A period of supremacy of clasico

Copa del Rey of Barcelona succeeded in a time of highly dominant in Real Madrid, with Catalans winning all three clasicos in 2024-25, scored nine goals throughout the Spanish Super Cup, La Liga, and now the final cup. The campaign began with a commanding 3-1 victory in the Spanish Super Cup final in January 2025, where Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Yamal tied Madrid's defense, exposing frailty despite the presence of stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. A 4-0 Laliga route to Santiago Bernabéu in October 2024 followed, with a high-pressing of Flick's system that was raging on Carlo Acelotti's side, as Yamal and Raphinha ran.

The final Copa del Rey, who played before a furious crowd on Saturday, was a microcosm of the long period of Barcelona. Flick's side, leading the La Liga and looks at the Champions League, and Super Cup – controls and dictates the tempo with a midfield trio of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Dani Olmo. Yamal, who dyed his blond hair for the occasion, was a constant human, pushing Madrid's defense at his speed and vision.

Real Madrid, suppressed by injuries and tactical incorrect uprisings, suffered an early blow with Ferland Mendy, back after six weeks, flew into a thigh injury. Ancelotti's replacement Fran García, was assigned to the Yamal -containing but repeatedly -outmanered, while Barcelona led Thibaut Courtois' goal.

Barcelona first struck in the 28 minutes through a moment of sheer intelligence. Young defender Pau Cubarsí, a revelation at 18, blocked a Madrid Pass in his own half and launched a fast counter. Pedri, Orchestra play, spread the ball to Yamal to the right. The teenager was cut inside, with a poise beyond his years, and placed with Pedri, who was drifting an accurate, strong shot at the top corner from the edge of the box. The goal, a blend of defensive nous, midfield artistry, and attack on Flair, contained in the resurrected Barcelona identity under the flick.

Madrid, at first carefully, was bruised in action but had a possibility of quizing. Jude Bellingham's superb conclusion was ruled out, and Vinícius Júnior's appeal was removed after a call outside. Barcelona almost doubles their lead when Olmo's corner hurts a distant pole, with Cubarsí unable to convert as Dani Ceballos stopped her-an unnamed call that provoked controversy. Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who under a thorough investigation after Madrid's pre-match complaints about his comments on their television channel, showed mildness in Madrid's aggressive tackles, increasing tension.

Ancelotti launched the dice at halftime, introducing MBAPPé, which was benched due to a recent ankle injury, for Rodrygo. The Frenchman's arrival changed the game momentum, as Madrid tried Barcelona's goalkeeper Wojciech SZCZ? Sny with Vinícius and Mbappé combining menacingly. MBAppé was combined in the 70th minute, advanced and won a free kick after a Frenkie de Jong Foul. His low strike enters the post and beat SZCZ? Sny, ignoring Madrid's return. Seven minutes later, Aurélien Tchouaméni headed to the corner of Arda Güler, taking advantage of a rare after Barcelona's defense to give Madrid a 2-1 lead.

Barcelona clearly responded in the 84th minute when Yamal delivered a wonderful over-the-top pass to Ferran Torres, who exceeded Rudiger and released Courtois to roll the ball into an empty net. The goal, forced the time, sets the stage for Koundé's heroes.

Koundé's controversy and clincher

The last minutes of the regulation are full of controversy. Barcelona demanded a penalty when Rudiger appeared to Foul Torres, but the call broke. At the time of stopping, a penalty awarded for Raphinha's collapse under the challenge of Raúl Asencio was revoked after the Var review, with Raphinha who was booking for diving -a decision that the Barcelona Bench took place and sparked heated exchanges. Officiating, there is already a flashpoint after Madrid's pre-match criticism, fueled post-game recriminations.

In the extreme time, Koundé, a defensive stone throughout, seized his moment for 108 minutes. Snatching a rugged pass from Luka Modri?, The Frenchman moved forward and released a low, such as shooting from outside the box to defeat Courtis in his close post. The strike sent La Cartuja to happiness and sealed Barcelona's success.

Barca is back to life

The success of Copa del Rey is more than a trophy; It was a testament to the amazing -Barcelona recovery from a dark period of time to see the club keeping the brink of collapse. In 2021, financial mismanagement and a € 1.35 billion debt forced the departure of Lionel Messi, the greatest club player, in Paris Saint-Germain, a punch Gat-Wrenching that symbolized Barcelona's fall from grace. In the pitch, the team weakened, out of the champions league group and difficulty in La Liga. Off this, a dying wage fee and a doubtful -the -transfer decisions threatened the disappointment.

Enter Joan Laporta, re-elected as president in March 2021 after a previous stint from 2003 to 2010. Laporta inherited a club in the chaos but quickly implemented a bold revamp. He has been securing € 1.5 billion in financial levers by selling TV rights and betting at Barça Studios, clubing the club's finances. He slapped the wage wage by turning off high-pearners like Antoine Griezmann and agreed with sign-cost-effective signs such as Lewandowski and Koundé.

La Liga's strict rules forced creativity, but Laperporto's gambling with the youth – promotes talents such as Yamal, Cubarsí, and Gavi from La Masia – paid dividends. Flick's appointment, a coach who won the Champions League along with Bayern Munich, brought tactical tactics, changing Barcelona to a high pressing, attacking force.

Laporta's vision exceeded the pitch. He returned the fan's pride with symbolic motions, such as renovating Camp Nou and rebuilding the global club brand. The title of 2022-23 La Liga, the first in Barcelona since 2019, marked a turning point, followed by Clasico Dominance and cup success.

Copa del Rey, Barcelona's 32nd, expands their competition record and re -proves their status as Spain's most basic club.