Kounde’s Thunderbolt Seals Wild Clasico Triumph as Barcelona Edge Real Madrid in Copa Thriller

Jules Kounde unleashed a stunning extra-time strike to crown Barcelona Copa del Rey champions in a pulsating Clasico against Real Madrid in Seville—a night that had everything from wonder goals to red cards and explosive drama.

After a breathless 2-2 draw across 90 minutes, and with penalties looming large, the Barcelona defender seized a loose ball 22 yards out and rifled a low rocket into the bottom corner, sealing a memorable 3-2 win and sparking wild celebrations among the Catalan faithful.

Barcelona had dominated the first half, showcasing their fluid attacking play.

Teen sensation Lamine Yamal laid on the opener with a clever cut-back, met sweetly by Pedri whose first-time strike from distance flew past Thibaut Courtois.

Real Madrid roared back to life after Kylian Mbappe’s second-half introduction.

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The French superstar a pre-match doubt with a knee knock quickly made his mark, curling a majestic free-kick in off the post to level the game.

Moments later, Aurelien Tchouameni rose highest to nod in Arda Guler’s corner, flipping the script.

Yet Barcelona refused to wilt. Ferran Torres latched onto a brilliant long ball from Yamal, skipped around an onrushing Courtois, and calmly slotted home to make it 2-2 and force extra time.

Controversy erupted in stoppage time when the referee pointed to the spot after Raul Asencio brought down Raphinha.

However, after a three-minute VAR review, the penalty was shockingly overturned, and Raphinha was booked for diving, infuriating the Barcelona bench.

Tempers exploded again at the death.

As frustrations boiled over, Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez were shown straight red cards from the Real bench for dissent.

Jude Bellingham, too, saw red after confronting the officials aggressively following the final whistle, capping off an ugly end for Los Blancos.

Amid the chaos, Kounde’s winner stood out as the defining moment, a bolt from the blue that handed Hansi Flick his first major trophy at Barcelona.

The German, who took charge last summer, has now won all three Clasicos under his watch, signaling a bright new era for the Catalans.

For Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, however, this defeat could spell the beginning of the end.

With the team trailing Barcelona in La Liga and uncertainty swirling around his future, the Italian veteran may have seen his last shot at silverware slip away.

The showdown had been billed as a referee’s nightmare even before kickoff.

Real Madrid’s official TV channel had published scathing criticism of referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, creating a charged atmosphere.

However, beyond the late penalty drama, the official navigated the game with remarkable composure under immense pressure.

There was no shortage of chances either.

Dani Olmo hit the post, Kounde saw a header saved, while Vinicius Junior and Raphinha both squandered golden opportunities.

But in the end, it was Kounde’s magic moment that decided a Clasico that will be remembered for its passion, chaos, and unforgettable drama.

With another Clasico looming in La Liga on May 11, Barcelona now eye a domestic double and perhaps even a treble, with a Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan on the horizon.

The battle between Spain’s giants is far from over. But on this unforgettable night in Seville, Barcelona stood tallest.

–BBC