Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid (aet): Copa del Rey final – as it happened (2025)

That’s your lot for this MBM. We had five excellent goals, we had an extra 30 minutes, we had refereeing controversy, but most importantly of all, we had a lovely time. Sid Lowe’s report from Seville will be coming up shortly. Bravo Barcelona and buenos noches.

That did feel like the right result, because Barcelona were not awarded what looked a clear penalty in the closing moments of the 90min. Before Raphinha went over and they were awarded, and then un-awarded, a spot-kick by Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea that may have won it for them in normal time.

Rüdiger really did lose the plot there. Reminiscent of this, going alllll the way back to 2009.

Barcelona hoist the trophy. Sid Lowe’s report is coming up …

“From the brief replays, Vini and Rüdiger both threw what seemed to be ice cubes at the ref,” writes Pat. “Such a spoiled bunch of arrogant footballers. The club has disgraced itself now at least three times in a season - the Ballon d’Or, the awful referee criticism this week, and now this.”

“The commentators are absolutely certain that St. Luka Modric’s pass to Brahim Diaz across the penalty area was faultless, and all the fault lay with Brahim Diaz,” writes Jonathan. “But what was Modric thinking? Could he not see Koundé? Why risk that particular pass? Many years ago, we were told never to play a pass across the penalty area. Sound advice, surely.”

Above all else I think it was an excellent bit of anticipation by Koundé. It wasn’t a horribly scuffed or underhit pass. Even the greats can get it wrong sometimes.

We will hear more about the object, or objects, thrown at the referee from the Real Madrid bench in the dying moments of extra time. Whether or not it was Rüdiger I cannot confirm. It may have been someone else, but at least one projectile was thrown, that much was obvious from the pictures.

“Real Madrid are really embarrassing themselves here,” writes Hugh. “Rudiger, among others, throwing things on to the pitch, potentially at the referee or opposition, because they’re losing. When you think of Roger Federer at one end of the classiness spectrum, Real are firmly at other end.”

“What a horrible last few weeks for Real Madrid!” emails Peter Oh. “First their Champions League Remontada myth gets popped like a cheap party balloon, and now their long-serving midfield maestro plays a cheap pass to ship the winning Copa del Rey goal to their biggest rivals.”

Ancelotti just stands there! Bellingham walks off! The Barcelona players, knowing they are still in the hunt for a treble, are suitably thrilled. What a night it’ll be for their fans in Seville. Rudiger appears to have calmed down a bit but none of the Real Madrid players are happy with the way that turned out. From a neutral perspective it was a helluva game of football.

It’s over!

120 min: Two minutes added on, minimum. One final chance? Mbappé hands off Eric García in the style of a rugby winger as he sprints towards the penalty area, and is penalised. On the Madrid bench, Rudiger has totally lost it! His teammates are holding him back, it looks like he wants to get on to the pitch to challenge the referee face to face. Also someone, I’m not sure who, appears to throw an object at the referee from the Madrid bench.

119 min: Lamine Yamal’s hairdresser the big winner from tonight’s match.

118 min: Mbappé is fouled in the box! The referee points to the penalty spot! But there’s an offside and Barcelona can breath again. Who would be a [insert name of any football team here] fan?

116 min: The pass from Modric was intended for Brahim Díaz. Modric was saying he should have come in to receive the pass, I think. Koundé did so well to read it and even better to finish.

What a hit! What a goal! Is that it? Kounde pounces on a loose pass from Modric on the edge of the box, and thunders a low right-footed shot beyond Courtois and in! The Barcelona celebrations are riotous! It was a sweet strike by the defender and Modric looks furious! But it as a bad pass. What drama.

115 min: Pau Victor on for Barcelona, to lead the line.

114 min: Endrick, the fresh legs for Real Madrid, zips down the wing and crosses. Koundé clears.

112 min: Gavi dances down the right for Barcelona. Valverde, still full of running, does brilliantly to deal with the danger and intercepts Gavi’s cross. Can someone win this in the next 10min or so? Or are we speeding inexorably to penalties?

109 min: Real Madrid’ Endrick comes on for Rúdiger, who appeared to be in some pain during the half-time break in extra time. He yelled out while Ancelotti was speaking, and initially it looked like he might be disagreeing with his gaffer, but he’s obviously pulled a muscle or something.

108 min: Guler crosses now, from the Real Madrid right flank, looking for Bellingham. Szczesny collects. Barcelona immediately nip down the other end and Tchouaméni pulls off an excellent sliding tackle to stop Gavi in his tracks. Corner.

107 min: Torres has the ball in the net, finishing from close range after a cross from the Barcelona right! But no, he’s offside. In fact he was never onside. Tiredness, that is.

“Watching the game at work and reading your take of the game is great!” emails Osman. “Whoever wins this game, it will be deserved. Haven’t seen a game of this quality lately. Thank you.”

No Osman – thank you.

Ancelotti gives his team talk while half-heartedly shielding his mouth in the modern style, which is a bit pointless, because the audio of his speech is clearly coming through on the telly. Not that I understand Spanish, but the commentator says he is telling his players to keep the ball. That’s brilliant Carlo!

The whistle sounds. It remains 2-2. They should play golden goal. Or just agree to penalties now. Both teams look pretty exhausted.

104 min: A smart turn and shot from an angle by Torres! It flashes just wide! Then Guler and Bellingham launch an attack at the other end. The pace has picked up again.

103 min: Lamine Yamal floats a cross to the back stick. Raphinha goes down in a heap under a challenge by Modric. He wants a penalty, surprise surprise, but nothing doing.

101 min: Now Gavi feeds Torres on the Barça right. He whips a ball in for Raphinha but Courtois snaffles it.

100 min: Torres tries to slide a ball into the penalty area for his Barcelona teammate Raphinha, but overhits it. He falls to the floor in frustration.

98 min: The pace of the game has slowed significantly after a high-octane first 90. Bellingham flicks a long ball on looking for Mbappé but Flick’s men deal with the danger.

96 min: Asencio sprays a fine diagonal ball from right to left. Barcelona clear and counter, Torres crossing for Raphinha, who can’t get on the end of it as he veers in from the left wing.

95 min: You have to say, Madrid were very lucky to get away with what looked an obvious foul by Rüdiger on Torres before the Raphinha incident.

94 min: Madrid launch their first raid of this extra time period. Mbappe takes possession on the left, and tries a cute little reverse pass, but Cubarsí deals with it well.

93 min: Barcelona begin extra time with a bit of keep-ball. Real Madrid seem happy to stand off. The press is non-existent. Happy to fart around and wait for the dreaded penalty competition?

The football never ends! Watch the football! WATCH IT!

The players are ready to kick off 30 minutes of extra time.

It’s past midnight in Spain. This is the most dramatic late-night sport we’ve seen since Selby v Woollaston at the Crucible on Thursday night.

Want some background? Read Sid Lowe’s piece about the pre-match referee-related jiggery pokery: