Jules Kounde came up with a 116th-minute winner as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in Saturday night’s Copa del Rey final.
The Catalan giants have secured the Copa del Rey trophy for the 32nd time in their history, and it is another bitter blow for a Real Madrid side that recently exited the Champions League in the quarter-finals.
Barcelona led at the interval courtesy of a wonderful effort from Pedribut Real Madrid turned it around in the second period, scoring twice in seven minutes through Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni to secure a 2-1 advantage.
Ferran Torres levelled it up at 2-2 in the 84th minute, though, with the contest therefore heading for extra-time.
A tense affair looked to be going all the way to penalties, only for Kounde to come up with the winner in the 116th minute, picking out the bottom corner from distance, and Real Madrid then picked up a late red card when Antonio Rudigerwho was not on the field, exchanged words with the officials.
SPORTS MOLE’S VERDICT
© Imago
And breathe. What a match.
It was far from an ideal first half for Real Madrid, with Ferland Mendywho was back in the side after a lengthy absence, forced off early on through injury, before Pedri’s cracking strike sent Barcelona ahead.
Real Madrid showed incredible character to turn the game around in the second period, but they just could not resist the late pressure, with Barcelona levelling it up at 2-2, and Kounde then won it in the final exchanges.
Los Blancos won the UEFA Super Cup towards the start of the season, but they have now fallen short in the Champions League and Copa del Rey, while they sit four points off leaders Barcelona in the The Table League.
Carlo Ancelotti is in the latter stages of his time as Real Madrid head coach, and this will have been a very difficult result to take, especially after the comeback that occurred in the second period.
Barcelona are very much on for a treble this season, and it could be a glorious first campaign at the helm for Hansi Flickwho has helped the Catalan giants become one of the most feared teams across Europe once again.
BARCELONA VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Pedri goal vs. Real Madrid (28th min, Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 28th minute of the contest, and it is a wonderful strike from Pedri, with the Spain international picking out the top corner from outside the penalty box; that is some effort from the midfielder.
Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Barcelona (70th min, Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid)
Real Madrid level the scores in the 70th minute of the match, and the goal comes from Mbappe, with the France international firing into the bottom corner from a free kick just outside the penalty box – some strike!
Aurelien Tchouameni Goal vs. Barcelona (77th min, Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid)
Real Madrid take the lead in the 77th minute of the match, with Tchouameni on the scoresheet; the corner comes in from Arda Gulerand Tchouameni heads into the back of the net from close range.
Ferran Torres goal vs. Barcelona (84th min, Barcelona 2-2 Real Madrid)
Barcelona level it up in the 84th minute of the match through Torres, as the Spaniard collects a pass from Yamal before rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into the back of the net – late drama in the Copa del Rey final.
Jules Kounde goal vs. Real Madrid (116th min, Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid)
Barcelona take a 3-2 lead in the final stages of extra-time, as Kounde drives into a dangerous area before striking the ball into the bottom corner of the net – is that the winner for the Catalan side?
120th min: Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid) red card
Rudiger, who is not on the pitch, is sent off after an altercation on the touchline, as words are exchanged with the referee.
MAN OF THE MATCH – LAMINE YAMAL
© Iconsport
Yamal is a special footballer, and he demonstrated that once again in The classic; the Spain international came up with two assists in normal time, but it was his overall performance that impressed the most.
Real Madrid just could not deal with the 17-year-old, and he was the player that continued to carry the fight to Ancelotti’s side in extra-time, with his constant running and movement contributing to Barcelona’s late success.
BARCELONA VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Real Madrid 59% -41% Barcelona
Shots: Real Madrid 22-15 Barcelona
Shots on target: Real Madrid 9-7 Barcelona
Corners: Real Madrid 8-6 Barcelona
Fouls: Real Madrid 23-11 Barcelona
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Barcelona’s attention will now switch to the Champions League, with Inter Milan heading to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Wednesday evening for the first leg of what is shaping up to be a fascinating semi-final.
As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti’s side need to dust themselves down to prepare for their return to La Liga action at home to Celta Vigo on May 4, which is a must-win game for the capital side in order to stay in the title race.
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