Updated On: 27 April, 2025 11:09 AM IST | Seville, Spain | AFP
However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders

Barcelona`s German goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (CR) and Barcelona`s Uruguayan defender Ronald Federico Araujo da Silva (CL) raise their trophy as they celebrate with teammates after winning the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey (King`s Cup) final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at La Cartuja stadium in Seville. Pic/AFP
Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid. The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick`s reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion. Three Real Madrid players were sent off during and after a fiery conclusion to the game, including England international Jude Bellingham. Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level. However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.
"Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride," said Kounde. Barca host Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday. "They can make a party -- for today, it`s OK," a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar. Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for "throwing an object" onto the pitch towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, according to the official`s report, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled. Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle for showing an "aggressive attitude" towards the referee, who wrote that the midfielder "had to be restrained by his team-mates". "I don`t want to talk about the referee," said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti.