Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in additional time to resolve a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico ultimate in Seville, incomes his facet a 3-2 win over rivals Actual Madrid.
The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, gained the primary main trophy of Hansi Flick’s reign as coach and a record-extending thirty second Spanish cup in dramatic vogue on Saturday.
Pedri despatched Barcelona forward at La Cartuja, however two Actual Madrid objectives in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions degree.
Nevertheless, Ferran Torres struck within the 84th minute to take the sport to additional time and Kounde drilled dwelling to win it for the LaLiga leaders.
Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was despatched off within the ultimate seconds for showing to throw an object onto the pitch in direction of the referee.
Madrid, who began with prime scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle damage, suffered an early setback when left-back Ferland Mendy, taking part in his first recreation for six weeks, suffered a thigh damage.
Carlo Ancelotti despatched on Fran Garcia in his place, with the job of shackling Barcelona’s dazzling teenage winger Lamine Yamal.
The 17-year-old Spain star, who dyed his hair blond for the sport, burst previous him with ease as Barca more and more threatened Thibaut Courtois’s aim.
The Catalans, who gained the primary two Clasicos this season in LaLiga and the Spanish Tremendous Cup, scoring 9 objectives within the course of, managed the ball.
They took the lead after 28 minutes, Pedri inserting the ball into the highest nook with precision and energy from the sting of the field.
It was a sensational aim, beginning with a sensible Pau Cubarsi interception in his personal half.
Pedri unfold the play out to Yamal on the proper, who lower inside and held the ball up till the Canary Islander reached the field and had a sight of aim.
Madrid had been centered on defending, however Barcelona’s opener introduced them out of their shell – and likewise introduced Mbappe off the bench to heat up.
Jude Bellingham began and completed an outstanding transfer however was offside, and Vinicius Junior would have gained a penalty as Inigo Martinez hacked him down, however had additionally strayed off within the build-up.
Barcelona might have doubled their lead, with Dani Olmo’s nook evading a number of gamers and bouncing off the far submit, with Cubarsi unable to get there as Dani Ceballos held him again.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was lenient with some heated Madrid tackles, maybe cowed by Friday’s drama because the Spanish champions seethed at his pre-match feedback denouncing assaults on officers by the membership’s tv channel.
Madrid despatched Mbappe on for Rodrygo Goes at half-time and shortly they started to work Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with Vinicius and Mbappe coming shut.
Mbappe pulled Madrid degree virtually on his personal within the seventieth minute.
The striker surged ahead and was introduced down on the sting of the field by Frenkie de Jong. Mbappe took the free-kick himself and fired a low effort in off the submit.
Seven minutes later, Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni discovering house to move dwelling Arda Guler’s nook previous the helpless Szczesny.
Barcelona responded when Yamal performed a scrumptious cross excessive for Torres, which drew each Rudiger and Courtois, however the Spaniard acquired there first and rolled dwelling.
Tensions boil over
Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head earlier than the match headed to additional time.
Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger appeared to convey down Torres, after which have been awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled beneath strain from Raul Asencio.
Nevertheless, the referee, known as to overview the incident by VAR, overturned his determination and booked the Brazilian for diving.
In additional time, Barcelona have been ascendant and probed for a possible winner.
They ultimately discovered it when Kounde intercepted an uncharacteristically unfastened Luka Modric cross and beat Courtois with a robust low effort from outdoors the field, sparking wild celebrations.
Rudiger’s dismissal and Madrid’s pre-match histrionics relating to the refereeing group will make sure the repercussions proceed, and the groups meet once more in LaLiga in Might, in a match that would resolve the title race.
