In a thrilling Clasico in Seville, Barcelona defeated Real Madrid to win the Copa del Rey, and Jules Kounde scored a screamer in extra time.
The Barcelona defender gained hold of the ball 22 yards away and put a beautiful attempt into the bottom corner after the 90-minute match ended in a 2-2 draw and penalties seemed certain.
After Lamine Yamal's cutback, Barca took the lead thanks to Pedri's incredible first-time goal from beyond the box. Barca had been the superior team in the first half.
After Kylian Mbappe entered as a replacement and curled a free kick that he had earned into the bottom corner via the inside of the post, Real Madrid's performance much improved.
Then Aurelien Tchouameni led Real ahead from the corner of Arda Guler.
However, Ferran Torres sprinted onto Yamal's long pass, rounded goalie Thibaut Courtois, and slotted in to give Barcelona the equaliser.
When Hansi Flick's team was given a penalty for a tackle by Raul Asencio on Raphinha during injury time, they believed they had a chance to win it, but the judgement was reversed after a lengthy video assistant referee examination.
As a result, Kounde's fourth goal of the season proved to be the difference in extra time.
The match referees' scrutiny had dominated the build-up to the match, which culminated in Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez receiving straight red cards from the Real bench.
Since 2014, when Real Madrid won 2-1 thanks to a spectacular late goal from Gareth Bale, it was the last significant act of a first Clasico final in a major event.
Real wrath returns, and the referee takes front stage.
Real Madrid players are addressed by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea.
Getty Images is the image source.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea had a lot of work ahead of him, as the image caption illustrates.
Real Madrid and referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea had been the main topics of the pregame build-up.
In an emotional press conference on Friday, Real Madrid's TV channel released a film that criticised the referee in a number of ways, much as they have done with previous officials. He discussed the effect of the video.
That night, the club sent out very negative news statements, although they refuted rumours that they could withdraw from the match.
Because of this, every choice the referee made would be scrutinised, yet none of them seemed particularly contentious to impartial onlookers.
Goals from both teams were disallowed due to obvious offsides, and Mbappe was not given a penalty for yet another obvious offside during the build-up.
However, with the score at 2-2 in the 96th minute, the main talking point was revealed.
As De Burgos Bengoetxea indicated the location, Asencio slipped in on Raphinha. However, he returned after checking for more than three minutes and fined Raphinha for diving before reversing the ruling.
It all boiled over at the very end of the 120 minutes. The referee awarded Mbappe a free kick as he attempted to dismiss an opponent.
The Real bench was incensed. Rudiger seemed to toss something at the referee as a number of players rushed onto the field.
Following the dismissal of Vazquez and Rudiger, who needed to be restrained by a number of teammates, the final whistle was blown to signal Barcelona's victory.
Real Madrid dismisses concerns about the cup final after the referee's tears.
Posted a day ago
Ancelotti's last opportunity and Flick's first big Barca trophy?
Jules Kounde and Lamine Yamal celebrate
Getty Images is the image source.
Image caption: After Lamine Yamal (left) set up Barcelona's two goals in regular time, Julius Kounde (right) emerged as the team's hero.
Since taking at Barcelona in the summer, former Bayern Munich manager Flick has now won all three Clasicos.
This is his first significant trophy with the Catalans, albeit the other was the Spanish Super Cup final.
On the other hand, it may have been Carlo Ancelotti's last opportunity to win one more title at Real. Despite having one more Clasico left in the league, they are now four points behind La Liga leaders Barca, and it is generally anticipated that the Italian great will be replaced at the conclusion of the current campaign.
The game was rather unpredictable.
With Dani Olmo hitting the post, Kounde's header saved by Courtois, and Yamal coming close, Barcelona should have scored more goals in the first half.
However, Real improved significantly when Mbappe, who was doubtful due to a knee injury, entered the game at halftime.
He scored his 33rd goal for the team after winning a free kick and bending it into the bottom corner. And it seemed like they were going to win following Tchouameni's goal.
Courtois hurried out of his box before a clean finish, but Torres came up to beat him.
Vinicius and Raphinha, teammates for Brazil but Clasico opponents, both missed chances, and there were many more.
Torres came close for Barcelona in extra time, but Kounde scored a spectacular winner.
Barcelona's chances of winning the double might be greatly influenced by Sunday, May 11, La Liga's fourth and final Clasico of the season.
As they play Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona, who were without their best scorer Robert Lewandowski for this match, really has a chance to win the triple.
.jpg)
