Jules Kounde’s Dramatic Winner Seals Barcelona’s 3-2 Copa del Rey Victory Over Real Madrid

April 27, 2025: In a thrilling Copa del Rey final at the Estadio de La Cartuja on Saturday night, FC Barcelona triumphed over their fierce rivals Real Madrid with a dramatic 3-2 victory, securing their 32nd title in the competition. The match, full of twists and turns, saw Barcelona battle from behind to clinch an unforgettable win, with Jules Kounde scoring the decisive goal in the 116th minute to send the Blaugrana fans into raptures.

The game began with Barcelona taking the lead in the 28th minute through a sensational strike from Pedri. The Spanish midfielder curled a beautiful shot from outside the box that flew past Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and into the top corner, giving Barca a 1-0 advantage.

However, Real Madrid responded fiercely in the second half. The introduction of French star Kylian Mbappe injected fresh energy into Los Blancos’ attack. Despite being denied twice by Barca’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, Vinicius Junior continued to threaten the Barcelona defense. It was Mbappe who eventually leveled the score in the 70th minute, converting a well-placed free kick from the edge of the box to make it 1-1.

Seven minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni rose highest to head home a corner, putting Real Madrid 2-1 ahead. Barcelona, however, were far from finished. In the 84th minute, Ferran Torres took advantage of a defensive lapse and equalized for Barca, forcing the game into extra time.

With the match on the verge of being decided by penalties, Kounde, who had been solid at the back all night, turned hero in the 116th minute. The French defender latched onto a pass from Brahim Diaz and struck a powerful shot from 25 yards that flew into the bottom corner, leaving Courtois with no chance. The goal sent Barcelona into celebration, securing the win and the coveted Copa del Rey title.

As the final whistle blew, the match ended on a bitter note for Real Madrid. Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez, who had been substituted earlier, were both shown red cards for dissent from the sidelines. To make matters worse, Jude Bellingham was also dismissed after the final whistle for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Barcelona, under immense pressure after trailing in the second half, held their nerve and displayed resilience in true fashion, securing the win in a match that was as physically demanding as it was dramatic. Ferran Torres, who scored the crucial equalizer, reflected on the team’s performance in an interview with TVE, saying, “It was a good time to give the fans something to cheer about. Let’s enjoy it, but don’t overdo it because the Champions League semifinals are coming up in a few days. Happy and tired. Without a doubt, it was the most physically demanding game I’ve played in my life. But we’re a great team who never gives up. It tastes better that way, especially when it’s Real Madrid in front of us.”

With this victory, Barcelona now heads into their upcoming Champions League semifinals with a renewed sense of confidence and pride, while Real Madrid will be left to lick their wounds after a bitter defeat in one of the most dramatic ‘El Clasicos’ in recent memory.