Posted by Siseko Tapile
3 Comments
When Barcelona faced Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey finalEstadio Olímpico de la Cartuja, Seville on 26 April 2025, the stadium became a pressure cooker for the 260th El Clásico clash. A 10 p.m. CEST kickoff turned into a roller‑coaster that saw the Catalans break a dead‑lock in the 116th minute, claiming their record‑extending 32nd crown.
Both sides entered the showdown riding a wave of dominance. Barcelona, under Dutch‑born Hansi Flick, had already secured the La Liga title by a four‑point margin and were eyeing a domestic treble. Real Madrid, guided by veteran manager Carlo Ancelotti, were still reeling from a sprained‑ankle setback to French star Kylian Mbappé, who had missed the previous league match.
The Copa del Rey final was the eighth time these giants met in the Spanish Cup showcase, with Madrid holding a 5‑4 edge in past finals. Yet Barcelona’s recent 4‑0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu in October 2024 and a 5‑2 triumph in the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia (January 2025) hinted at a shift in the balance of power.
Barcelona struck first in the 28th minute. Midfielder Pedri unleashed a thunder‑shot from outside the box that curled past Thibaut Courtois’s outstretched hand. The goal set the tone – a blend of youthful flair and tactical discipline.
The first half stayed 1‑0, with Real Madrid pressing but finding no equaliser. At the break, Ancelotti made a bold call, slotting the still‑limping Mbappé on for the first time. The Frenchman, eager to prove his fitness, took a free‑kick in the 70th minute and curled it past Marc‑André ter Stegen to level the score.
Just seven minutes later, the lead switched. Defensive midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni rose highest on a corner and headed home, putting Los Blancos ahead 2‑1. It looked like Madrid might seal the night.
But Barcelona’s resolve didn’t wilt. In the 84th minute, winger Ferran Torres struck a low drive that beat Courtois, forcing extra time.
Extra time was a sprint. After a tense first period, the decisive blow landed in the 116th minute. Jules Koundé intercepted a pass from Brahim Díaz, turned sharply and slotted the ball into the far‑bottom corner. The stadium erupted as the final whistle confirmed a 3‑2 win for Barcelona.
Ancelotti’s decision to load the midfield with four central players – Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos and Jude Bellingham – was meant to crowd the middle and disrupt Barcelona’s passing lanes. It worked for large spells, but the lack of width left space for Yamal and Raphinha to drift inside.
Flick, on the other hand, trusted a young but dynamic XI: Pedri, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and the experienced Raphinha. The Portuguese winger’s early crossing helped Pedri’s opener, while Yamal’s relentless runs forced the French left‑back Ferland Mendy into a one‑on‑one that the youngster handled admirably.
Mbappé’s cameo sparked debate. While his free‑kick was brilliant, his limited minutes meant he couldn’t adjust to Madrid’s high press. Ancelotti later admitted, “I wanted him on the pitch, but the injury risk was real. The free‑kick was a gift, not a guarantee.”
After the match, Flick beamed, “These boys showed heart. Winning a cup with a squad this young is special, and Jules gave us the moment we needed.” He added that the victory was a springboard for the upcoming Champions League semi‑final against Inter Milan.
Ancelotti, ever the stoic, praised his side: “Credit to Barcelona, they fought hard. We’ll learn from the last 20 minutes and come back stronger.”
Pedri, still buzzing, told a local Seville newspaper, “Scoring the first goal lifted us. The fans were amazing, and everyone gave everything.”
Fans on social media described the finale as “the kind of drama you only get in Barcelona‑Madrid matches.” A supporter from the Camp Nou section wrote, “Seeing Jules pounce like that – pure poetry.”
The trophy lifts Barcelona to a three‑peat over Real Madrid in the 2024‑25 campaign: a 4‑0 league win in October, a 5‑2 Super Cup triumph in January, and now the Copa del Rey. The club maintains a four‑point lead in La Liga and, with the cup secured, can focus on the Champions League semi‑final scheduled for Wednesday against Inter Milan.
Financially, the win adds €2.3 million in prize money and boosts merchandising ahead of the holiday season. Strategically, the success validates Flick’s emphasis on youth – Yamal, Pedri and Torres have become household names, while veterans like Raphinha provide the needed balance.
The win boosts morale and gives the squad a psychological edge heading into the semi‑final against Inter Milan. With the domestic treble already in sight, the team can concentrate on European tactics without the distraction of another domestic knockout match.
Mbappé’s limited minutes meant Madrid lacked a true game‑changing forward in the opening phases. While his free‑kick equaliser was vital, the team missed his movement and link‑up play for the majority of the match, forcing Ancelotti to rely on a tighter midfield setup.
Pedri’s opening goal set the tempo, Ferran Torres’ late equaliser kept hopes alive, and Jules Koundé’s extra‑time winner capped the performance. The young trio of Pedri, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal also provided the creative spark throughout the game.
The loss narrows Madrid’s cushion to Barcelona, leaving them four points behind with ten games remaining. Ancelotti will need to rally his squad in the upcoming league fixtures to keep the title challenge alive.
Fans erupted after each Barcelona goal, especially the extra‑time strike. The stadium’s atmosphere oscillated between raucous cheers for the Catalans and tense silence during Madrid’s lead, reflecting the high stakes of the rivalry.
Comments
Surya Prakash
It is disheartening to see a competition reduced to spectacle rather than sport.
October 5, 2025 at 21:14
Sandeep KNS
One must, of course, commend the orchestrators for assembling such a theatrical display, though the underlying footballing substance appeared markedly scarce. The strategic nous displayed by both camps, while ostensibly sophisticated, seemed more akin to a rehearsed pageant than a genuine contest. It is almost charming how the narrative was engineered to privilege drama over disciplined play. One cannot help but observe the paradox of a cup final being reduced to a series of fortunate happenstances, each staged with the finesse of a well‑rehearsed opera. Indeed, the spectators were treated to a masterclass in suspense, albeit one that relied heavily on the whims of fate rather than the merit of skill.
October 5, 2025 at 22:21
Mayur Sutar
What a roller‑coaster that match turned out to be. The young Catalans showed heart and the fans felt every beat. It’s amazing how a single moment can swing the whole story. I hope the team keeps this spirit alive. The future looks bright for those rising stars.
October 5, 2025 at 23:28