 |
| Barcelona Defeats Real Madrid 3-2 in Copa del Rey Final: Kounde's Heroic Moment Secures Victory. |
In a thrilling Copa del Rey final, Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time, with Jules Kounde emerging as the unlikely hero. The match, held at Estadio La Cartuja on Saturday night, was a rollercoaster ride that saw Barcelona keep their treble hopes alive under the guidance of their new manager, Hansi Flick.
The Dramatic Match: Tension from Start to Finish
This was a match for the ages, and one that will surely be remembered as one of the best El Clasico encounters in Copa del Rey history. Barcelona started strong, despite the absence of Robert Lewandowski due to injury. Ferran Torres, who was filling in as the main striker, proved his worth with a fantastic performance.
Barcelona took the lead first through a stunning goal by Pedri in the 28th minute. The young Spanish talent capitalized on a brilliant assist from Lamine Yamal, who has continued to impress in big matches like this one. This was Yamal’s third consecutive Clasico contribution—becoming the fourth player in recent history to do so, joining the ranks of Luis Suarez and Sergi Roberto.
However, Real Madrid was quick to respond. Kylian Mbappe, who started the game on the bench due to injury, changed the course of the match when he was introduced at halftime. He immediately made an impact, equalizing with a powerful free-kick that deflected off the post before finding the back of the net. Not long after, Aurelien Tchouameni gave Madrid the lead with a header from an Arda Guler corner.
As many thought Madrid would pull away with the win, Barcelona showed their true fighting spirit. In a swift counter-attack, a long ball caught Antonio Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois off guard, allowing Ferran Torres to calmly finish and restore parity.
Penalty Controversy and Red Cards Drama
The tension reached new heights when, in the dying seconds of regular time, the referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea initially awarded a penalty to Barcelona after Raul Asencio was judged to have fouled Raphinha. However, following a VAR check, the decision was overturned, with Raphinha being deemed to have exaggerated the contact and gone down too easily.
But the drama didn't stop there. Vinicius Junior was forced off the pitch due to injury, leaving Madrid’s attack lacking sharpness in extra time. Things got even more heated when Antonio Rudiger, who had already been substituted, was sent off after reacting angrily from the bench. Shortly after, Lucas Vazquez was also given a red card, adding further frustration to Madrid’s already challenging night.
Jules Kounde Seals the Win for Barcelona
In the 116th minute of extra time, Jules Kounde became the unlikely hero. The French defender intercepted a sloppy pass from Luka Modric, taking a powerful shot from outside the box that Courtois couldn’t stop. It was the moment that secured Barcelona’s victory and their 32nd Copa del Rey title—extending their record as the most successful team in the competition.
Kounde’s heroics saw Barcelona claim their third consecutive Clasico victory this season, having already triumphed over Madrid in both the Supercopa de Espana and a La Liga encounter earlier this year. This final also marked Barcelona's remarkable comeback after being 2-1 down, demonstrating their resilience and determination to win.
Barcelona’s Path to the Treble
Under Hansi Flick, Barcelona has been on an impressive run, losing only once in their last 28 matches across all competitions. Their attacking prowess has been a key factor, with Barcelona currently holding the record for the most goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues this season, with 155 goals across all competitions.
With their treble hopes still alive, Barcelona’s next challenge is to secure the La Liga and Champions League titles. If they succeed, Flick will become just the second Barcelona manager to win his first three Clasicos across all competitions, following in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola.
Is This the End for Carlo Ancelotti?
The loss has raised serious questions about Carlo Ancelotti's future at Real Madrid. Despite winning 15 trophies with the club, including a Copa del Rey triumph over Barcelona in 2014, the Italian manager may be nearing the end of his tenure.
While Madrid briefly looked like they might pull off another famous comeback, they failed to maintain their lead. Their mistakes, especially Luka Modric's costly turnover, ultimately led to their downfall. Kylian Mbappe, who had been a game-changer after coming on, wasn’t able to prevent the defeat.
Madrid’s attacking efforts were below expectations, with their expected goals (xG) finishing at just 0.82, far below Barcelona’s impressive 1.76 xG. With a four-point deficit in La Liga, it seems unlikely that Real Madrid will secure silverware this season.
Barcelona's Glory, Madrid’s Struggles Ahead
In the end, Barcelona’s performance proved to be too strong for Real Madrid, who will now need to regroup ahead of a crucial Clasico on May 11 that could decide the La Liga title. For Barcelona, it’s a moment of pride as they lift yet another Copa del Rey and continue their march toward a potential treble.
While Real Madrid will have to reflect on their missed chances, Barcelona has shown why they are currently one of the most formidable teams in Europe. With Jules Kounde’s heroics and Hansi Flick’s leadership, Barcelona is on the rise and aiming to reclaim their dominance in the football world.
Gulir ke atas untuk melanjutkan membaca
Link nonton film terbaru pilihan kami
.jpg)
*BACA BERITA TERKINI LAINNYA DI GOOGLE NEWS
