Barcelona secured a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, a thrilling match that saw late goals and red cards. The win marks Barcelona’s third victory over their rivals this season, leaving young star Lamine Yamal declaring that Real Madrid simply can’t handle Barcelona’s current form.
Yamal, at just 17 years old, played a pivotal role in the victory, assisting on two of Barcelona’s goals. His contributions were instrumental in setting up Pedri for the opening goal and later feeding Ferran Torres for the equalizer. These assists were crucial as Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni had initially put Real Madrid ahead.
The match went into extra time after Ferran Torres’ late strike. It was then that Jules Koundé, intercepting a pass from Luka Modric, fired home the winner in the 116th minute, sparking wild celebrations among the Barcelona faithful. This victory adds to a string of impressive comebacks for Barcelona this season, highlighting their resilience and determination.
Following the match, Yamal confidently stated, “I told Ronald Araújo earlier that even if Madrid scored one or two goals, it wouldn’t be a problem. They simply can’t handle us this year – we’ve proven it.” This bold statement reflects the confidence radiating from the Barcelona camp after their dominant performance.
Real Madrid’s frustration boiled over in the closing stages of the match, resulting in three red cards. This chaotic finish further underscored Barcelona’s dominance throughout the contest.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick praised his team’s unwavering spirit and never-give-up attitude. He highlighted Jules Koundé’s exceptional performance in extra time, emphasizing his crucial goal and impressive defensive contributions. Flick expressed immense pride in his team and their ability to secure such a significant victory against their arch-rivals.
This Copa del Rey win adds another trophy to Barcelona’s potential treble this season. They currently hold a four-point lead over Real Madrid in La Liga and await their Champions League semifinal clash with Inter Milan. While Flick acknowledges the upcoming challenges, the Copa victory instills confidence in his team’s ability to achieve even greater success in the remaining matches.
