On April 26, 2025, Barcelona and Real Madrid played a gripping Copa del Rey final in Seville (Estadio La Cartuja). In a roller-coaster match, Barcelona won 3-2 after extra time to claim the Spanish Cup. The game had everything: goals, lead changes, and late drama. Barça took an early lead through Pedri (28′) with a brilliant curling strike, and held 1-0 at halftime. In the second half, Real fought back: a Kylian Mbappé free-kick (70′) leveled the score, and shortly after Aurélien Tchouaméni headed Real ahead (77′). Barcelona never gave up. Ferran Torres sprinted down the wing and scored the equalizer (84′) to force extra time. Finally, in the 116th minute, France defender Jules Koundé slid the ball into the net to make it 3-2.
In all, five different players scored in the final: Pedri, Torres and Koundé for Barça, and Mbappé and Tchouaméni for Real. Three Real players – Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez, and Jude Bellingham – saw red cards for dissent right at the end, underscoring the tension. Barcelona’s win was their 32nd Copa title, and it came with high drama and emotional intensity. (This was the second trophy Barcelona won over Madrid this season, after a 5-2 Supercopa final victory in January). As one report put it, “A Jules Koundé goal in the dying minutes of extra time handed Barcelona a dramatic 3-2 win over fierce rivals Real Madrid.”
A Rivalry Over a Century Old
The El Clásico rivalry between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid is one of football’s greatest. It goes back to the early 1900s: Barcelona was founded in 1899 and Real Madrid in 1902, and their first meeting was in 1902 during a tournament to celebrate King Alfonso XIII. Over time, politics and pride fueled the battles. Barcelona represents Catalonia, a region with its own language and identity, while Real is seen as the Spanish capital’s team. During Spain’s mid-20th-century history,
the two clubs became symbols of these different regions. Historical flashpoints include the famous Di Stéfano transfer saga of the 1950s, where Real signed the Argentine star instead of Barça. Controversial refereeing decisions and battles for trophies also heated the rivalry. Over decades, legends like Ladislao Kubala and Luis Suárez (Barça) or Ferenc
Puskás and Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real) starred in historic Clásicos. By the late 20th century, both clubs were giants in Spain. They often decide the La Liga (Spanish league) title between them, and El Clásico is watched by fans worldwide. In fact, La Liga officials say El Clásico “transcends sports” with political undertones (Madrid’s Spanish nationalism versus Barcelona’s Catalan pride). One league executive even compared it to the Super Bowl: “El Clásico has really become almost a brand of its own… with El Clásico, you may not be a huge soccer fan… but you know that’s the game.” This global fame – hundreds of millions of viewers around the world – shows why every Barça–Real match makes headlines.
Barcelona’s Season: Winning All the Encounters
The April 26 final was the latest in a run of Barça dominance this season. Before the Cup final, Barcelona had already beaten Real twice in 2024–25: a 4-0 win at the Bernabéu in October and a 5-2 win in the January Spanish Super Cup final. In short, “Barça have won all three of their Clásicos this season.” These consecutive victories mean Barcelona have not only two trophies over Madrid this year, but also a huge boost in confidence and the head-to-head edge. It also intensified the title race: at the end of the season, if both teams finish level on points, head-to-head results decide the champion. Tactically, Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick set up a fast, pressing team. Barcelona controlled possession, using midfielders like Pedri to create chances. In contrast, Real under Carlo Ancelotti tried
quick attacks, especially after bringing in superstar Mbappé. The October 4-0 game and now this Cup final both showed Barca’s counterattacks and set-pieces were lethal. The fact that Barça scored in three different competitions (La Liga, Supercopa, Copa) against the same rivals shows a shift: the team that had struggled in big games is now overpowering Real. For Real, the loss was a setback: their coach admitted frustration with refereeing, even boycotting part of the pre-game ceremony this match.
Key Players and Tactical Battles
In the Cup final, individual performances stood out. For Barcelona, Pedri’s early goal and creativity were crucial. Fans and analysts praised Ferran Torres for his speed and goal in the 84th minute that kept Barça in the game. The match-winner, Jules Koundé, was a defensive
rock, and his extra-time strike made him the hero. From Real, Kylian Mbappé showed why he is a star: coming off the bench, he earned and scored a free-kick to spark the comeback. Midfielder Jude Bellingham ran tirelessly (although the red card marred his finish) and Thibaut Courtois in goal made some big saves. In plain terms, Barca used short passes
and teamwork, while Real relied on individual runs and speed. Barcelona’s midfield was compact, while Real often attacked down the wings (for example through Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha). When the game went to extra time, fatigue and frustration affected Real. Analysts noted that Barca’s tactical discipline and fresh legs in extra time helped create the winner. Overall, it was a tactical chess match of two top coaches, but Barcelona managed the key moments better.
Fans and Cultural Impact
El Clásico is about emotion as many as tactics. Barcelona fans celebrated wildly at the final whistle; for them this win was a source of pride amid the club’s recent troubles. Real fans were heartbroken, seeing their team come so close yet fail. Matches like this stir deep feelings: in Catalonia, Barça victories are tied to regional identity, while Madrid’s fans feel they carry national
pride. Spanish sports media noted that even days before the game, tensions were high – Real officials criticized referees and staged a symbolic boycott of the coin toss. Worldwide, the two fan bases are massive. As one report noted, “hundreds of millions of fans across the globe” follow El Clásico. Even people who don’t normally watch league games know El Clásico
– similar to know the Super Bowl in the US. Social media was buzzing: scenes of Barca players lifting the trophy, and of upset Madrid fans, circulated instantly. In Spain, the match outcome affects many conversations – from bar debates to news headlines the next day. In short, every Barça–Real game is a cultural event. This latest encounter added a new chapter to the saga, deepening the rivalry and giving both sets of fans an unforgettable memory.
Sources: Detailed match reports and analyzes from ESPN and AS espn.com en.as.com espn.com espn.com boardroom.tv fcbarcelona.com espn.com provide the facts above. These articles offer scores, events, and context of the most recent Clásicos and the long history of this legendary rivalry.