Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid.
Barcelona, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick’s reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion.
Three Real Madrid players were sent off during and after a fiery conclusion to the game, including England international Jude Bellingham.
Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level.
However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.
“Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride,” Kounde said after the game.
Barcelona host Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.
Crystal Palace thrash Aston Villa to reach first FA Cup final in 9 years
“They can make a party – for today, it’s OK,” a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, said.
Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for “throwing an object” onto the pitch towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, according to the official’s report, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled.
Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle for showing an “aggressive attitude” towards the referee, who wrote that the midfielder “had to be restrained by his team-mates”.
“I don’t want to talk about the referee. I don’t know what happened at the end,” said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti.
Madrid had issued furious statements about the refereeing team on Friday after they criticised the club’s television channel for attacking Spanish officials this season, casting a shadow over the game.
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