Barcelona and Real Madrid faced off in the Copa del Rey final yesterday, April 26, 2025, in a match that will be remembered for its drama and intensity. Two arch-rivals clashed at Seville’s Estadio de La Cartuja in the first Copa final meeting of Barcelona and Madrid since 2014.
The game started breathlessly: Barcelona drew first blood when teen star Pedri curled home from outside the box in the 28th minute. However, Real stormed back in the second half Kylian Mbappé smashed a spectacular equalizer at 70′ and Aurélien Tchouaméni headed in at 77′ to put the Merengues 2-1 ahead. The furious back-and-forth left fans on the edge of their seats as the race for the King’s Cup trophy swung wildly.
With time running out, Ferran Torres emerged as the hero for Barcelona. The Spanish forward unleashed a thunderous strike in the 84th minute to make it 2-2, sparking wild scenes in the stands. Extra time was needed, and the game continued to teeter on a knife’s edge.
Finally, in the 116th minute, defender Jules Koundé rose above the defense to head home the winner, sending Barcelona fans into ecstasy. This last-gasp goal sealed a 3-2 victory for Barcelona, earning them a record 32nd Copa del Rey title.
The final whistle at Camp Nou sent the crowd into delirium. Flares lit up the stadium as a sea of blaugrana flags and banners celebrated the club’s 32nd cup triumph. Players and fans hugged and cheered wildly, reliving memories of past glories now joined by this unforgettable extra-time comeback. For Barcelona’s players and supporters, the trophy represented more than silverware it was a reward for resilience and a triumph over their fiercest rivals.
This victory ended a long wait for the Copa del Rey trophy in Barcelona’s cabinet and added fresh brilliance to their storied season. Pep Guardiola’s players reveled in the spirit of the night, while social media buzzed with Culers hailing the “historic Seville night.”
On the Madrid side, teammates and fans were left shellshocked, having seen a lead slip away in the dying moments. The result has huge implications in this long-standing rivalry: Barcelona now extends its record as the competition’s all-time champion, while Real Madrid will be determined to bounce back in future clashes.
History of the Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey iterally “King’s Cup” is Spain’s oldest and most prestigious football tournament. Founded in 1903 under the patronage of King Alfonso XIII, it has been contested for well over a century and is woven deeply into the fabric of Spanish football.
Clubs from every corner of Spain compete in knockout rounds for the right to lift the silver trophy, which symbolizes national pride and sporting heritage. Over the decades the final has become a marquee event – often featuring the famous El Clásico showdown between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Barcelona’s triumph last night adds another chapter to their Copa del Rey legacy. In fact, Barça are the competition’s most successful club (32 titles) and Real Madrid sit third with 20. Whenever these two giants meet in the King’s Cup, the match carries extra weight – each side chasing pride and bragging rights in Spain’s grandest cup competition.
