Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid: Kounde strikes late in extra time to take the spoils in El Clasico cup final | OneFootball

Kounde’s late effort capped a memorable Copa del Rey final

Campeones, campeones: Barcelona beat Real Madrid to make it 32 Copa del Rey titles

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They were made to wait until the 116th minute of play for confirmation, but Barcelona fans will tonight celebrate a 32nd Copa del Rey title as they beat Real Madrid 3-2 in a final rife with drama.

Pedri opened the scoring in the first half with a wonderful strike, perfectly balancing power and placement as he drilled his shot well beyond Courtois.

That advantage would last through to half-time, at which stage Real woke up. Ancelotti introduced the big guns, adding Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric, totally reversing the match’s momentum as he did so.

The match was every bit a Derby

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Mbappe’s ankle injury was clearly long forgotten as he caused Barcelona’s back-line all sorts of problems with his pace and power. He scored a stunning free-kick with 20 minutes remaining, and could have added a second moments later if not for Pau Cubarsi’s late block.

Just a few minutes later, though, it all looked to be over as Aurelien Tchouameni headed home from Luka Modric’s corner. Barcelona were left bewildered, going from a place of total control to a goal behind in just seven minutes, and white ribbons were all but hung on the trophy.

Not if Lamine Yamal had anything to say about it. He looped a perfect pass over the top to put Ferran Torres through on goal - Courtois looked to claim it but was caught in no man’s land, and the Spaniard finished into an empty net to force extra time.

Kounde’s late goal sent Barcelona players, staff, and fans into rapture

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There would be more drama before the final whistle, though. A Barcelona penalty would be overturned after a lengthy VAR check, with the aggrieved Raphinha eventually booked for simulation, and Vinicius would leave the field of play injured.

It was a level playing field heading into extra time, then. The first quarter of an hour came and went with little notable action. It seemed as though the same would be true in the second half, before Kounde’s effort put Barca ahead at a crucial juncture.

There were ugly scenes after the 120th minute as an incensed Rudiger launched ice packs at referee Ricardo de Burgos, earning a red card for his troubles, but that would not affect the result.

Tonight, it will be the famous Blaugrana celebrating into the small hours. They will not forget this match in a hurry.