Barcelona 3-2 (aet) Real Madrid: summary, score, goals, highlights, Copa del Rey final

We'll wrap up our coverage here folks as the FC Barcelona squad celebrate their win with their supporters.

Many thanks for tuning in this evening in a game that delivered in high octane emotion and ultimately ended with the Catalan side bagging their 32nd Copa del Rey thanks to a Jules Kounde strike in the 116th minute.

Despite all the issues with the Camp Nou renovation, the financial turmoil affecting the club, Hansi Flick has done quite a remarkable job since taking over from Xavi Hernandez.

With tonight's win, Hansi Flick becomes the first ever German coach to win a Copa del Rey title !

Barça ars still at the races in the Champions League and LaLiga title.

Ronald Araujo is presented the trophy from the Spanish king. 

Both the defender and Ter Stegen share the responsibility of lifting the trophy.

Real Madrid collect their runners-up medals.

Barça's turn to climb the stairs to where the trophy awaits.

The Real Madrid end has almost cleared out as the 'Los Blancos' supporters make a quick exit with the Barça end still packed and the 'Azulgrana' fans keen to celebrate the win with their loyal support.

The trophy presentation is underway as the match officials are awarded their medal. 

Solid performance it has to be said from Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea despite all the 'pre-game noise'. 

Smiles all round on the faces of the Barça players and desolation on their Madrid counterparts.

FC Barcelona win the 2024-25 Copa del Rey

That's it... FC Barcelona are 2024-25 Copa del Rey champions.

Lucas Vazquez too has seen red for his reaction.

Rudiger (now on the bench) is red carded for throwing a water bottle on the pitch unhappy with a decision by the match official.

FC Barcelona also poised to beat Madrid for the third time this season.

The Barça bench are all on their feet and they sense that the trophy is now in their destiny.

Two minutes of time added on.

Just a minute of this second period of extra time remain.

Barcelona edging towards Copa del Rey win number 32.

Barcelona minutes away from Copa glory.

A poor pass from Brahim gifted the French defender who shot home from distance.

Has Jules Kounde done enough to secure the 24-25 Copa del Rey for Barça.

Jules Kounde fires Barça ahead with just minutes left in the final.

Ferran Torres exits for Pau Victor.

Just over five minutes remain and surely at this time, both head coaches will be lining up penalty takers for both teams.

Chance for Madrid as Guler flights over a delightful ball and Bellingham is just inches away from latching onto the delivery with his head.

Fede Valverde's energy levels are not human !

Endrick comes on and it's Rudiger who makes an exit.

Barça win their 8th corner of the night (Madrid are on seven).

Poor delivery from Raphinha.

Endrick is getting ready to make an entrance.

Bellingham carded but Fermin Lopez has made a difference for Barça.

The ball is in the Madrid net but the flag is up as Ferran is offside.

Barcelona re-start the game for the last time.

The whistle sounds and still no breakthrough.

15 minutes separates us from a shoot out, assuming no side score.

Ferran Torres almost strikes again as he clips the ball just inches wide and that is the best chance of this first period of extra time.

Tired passes, misplaced balls now becoming the tonic of the past few minutes with just two minutes of the half remaining. 

Five minutes of the first half of extra time remain and the tempo has dipped slightly....which is natural after the effort both sides have invested.

Pedri exits with Eric Garcia his replacement.

Still and 'end to end' feel to the game as Madrid press and then Barça launch a lightning counter with danger.

Raphinha and Lamine need to get back into the game if Barcelona are to prevail.

Eric Garcia poised to come on for Barça.

The energy levels from both teams will be key in maintaining the high energy level of the final.

Real Madrid were certainly the better side in the second half with Barça the dominant force in the first 45 minutes.

Not sure a extra 30 minutes is what Hansi Flick would like with Barça set to face Inter Milan next Wednesday in the Champions League semi final (first leg).

Real Madrid to start the extra time period.

So, after a rollercoaster of a final, what does extra time hold in store. Can another 30 minutes deliver the same high octane entertainment?

Stay with us and all will be revealed. 

FT: FCB 2-2 RMCF

The whistle sounds and we'll have 30 minutes of extra time in Seville.

Say what you want about VAR.... but it delivers justice and this is a perfect case in point.

And in the end, it's a freekick for Real Madrid....

Extra time it looks like as Raphina is carded for feigning.

The ref signals a screen check and it should be over-ruled.

What drama and pressure on Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea after all that we had this week.

On repeated viewing, not sure that that is a penalty kick and if anything, the Rudiger challenge on Ferran a few minutes earlier was a clearer spot kick.

Raphinha, it has to be said did go to ground rather easy.

VAR will be looked at and Madrid may get away with this.

What drama....

Now we have a penalty as Asencio clips Raphinha and it's a spot kick. No doubts on this one.

Big call for a Barça penalty as Rudiger clips Ferran but the ref waves play on.

Do we have a final twist in this final ?

Fermin carded for a shirt pull ass the clock ticks towards the 96 minute mark.

Modric is carded as he thunders into Gavi.

Dangerous play from the Croatian central player.

We'll have six minutes of added time.

Brahim Diaz is on as the Brazilian exits the action.

Vini seems to be in trouble and asks for a change.

We're just two minutes (plus added time) away from extra time.

Changes for Barça

De Jong and Martin exit the game with Gavi and Araujo into the fray

Goooooool.

Barcelona are back level and it's Ferran Torres in the 83rd minute as the Tiburon does well in taking the ball past Courtois and the ball trickles over the line despite the best efforts of Rudiger.  

Lamine forces a fine stop from Courtois.

Tiredness starting to play a role now.

Don't forget, these teams meet again on May 11th at Montjuic with the LaLiga title on the line. 

The Catalan side top the table with a 4 point cushion.

Still just the one change from Hansi Flick to date.

Credit to Ancelotti for the changes with the second half a totally different game of football.

Barcelona are shell shocked and have had no reply to the wave after wave of Real Madrid attacks.

So easy for the French player to nod home unchallenged.

Now, can Barça change the dynamic with just over ten minutes left in the final.

Goal and Madrid go ahead as Tchouaméni nods home from a Guler corner.

Quarter of an hour to go in Seville.

Madrid launch a counter and Vini and Mbappe combine with Barcelona really struggling as Los Blancos have their tails up.

A very, very different game from what we saw in the first 45.

Should the final end level at the end of the 90 minutes, then a further 30 minute period of extra time will be played.

Should things still be tied after 120 minutes of football, the 2015 Copa del Rey final would be decided by a penalty shoot out.

That goal had been coming and the French striker really has made a difference since his introduction at the start of the half.

A sweet freekick which beat the wall and with the aid of the post nestled in the back of the Barça net.

Game on in Seville.

De Jong pulls Mbappé's jersey and despite appeals from Madrid players and fans, is awarded a yellow.

Dangerous free for Real Madrid on the edge of the Barça area.

Bellingham clashes into Pedri and is lucky to escape with no card.

Lamine Yamal is being well marshalled by Garcia and the teenager has been discreet in this second half.

Barça still dominate 63-37 (%) in terms of possession and lead 6-2 in shots on target.

Change for Barça

Fermin Lopez replaces Dani Olmo

More pressure from Real Madrid as we pass the hour mark.

The Catalan side are being pressed back now with Mbappé and Guler making a significant impact.

Vinicius has sharpened up too and looks dangerous every time the Brazilian is on the ball.

Vini shoots again and this time it's easy for the Polish stopper.

Barça give the ball away cheaply and Vini drives inches wide.

The Catalan side are on the ropes with Madrid, for the first time in the final, very much on top.

The introduction of Mbappé has certainly given Real Madrid an uplift as they chase the game and, inevitable leave bigger gaps at the back.

No changes from Hansi Flick so far in the final as we head towards the hour mark.

Barcelona break and are in a 3 vs 2 situation but the final effort is screwed wide form Lamine.

Vini Jr. gets the ball and Szczesny gathers at the second time of asking.

Ceballos off for Guler

Modric on for Lucas Vazquez

Double switch for Madrid

Mbappe does well and from an acute angle, wins a corner for Madrid.

Two chances for Real Madrid as Vinicius breaks free and sees the Polish keeper make a double save.

The Madrid corner sees Tchouaméni head wide.

Now space opens up for Pedri who screws the ball high and wide.

First effort of the second half falls to Raphinha who drives straight at Courtois.

Off we go again... Madrid start the second 45 minutes.

The French striker is back in action after missing the last two league games for Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe on for Rodrygo.

Looks like we're set to see Mbappe for the second half.

Pedri's strike has Barcelona ahead at the break but it did finally to shake off Real Madrid's lethargic start to the final.

For the opening 25 minutes, the Catalan side were well on top despite creating a limited number of clear cut chances.

Lamine Yamal has wreaked havoc for the Madrid defenders who have struggled to contain both the teenager and Raphinha on the other flank.

Mbappe was warming up as the half drew to a close and Madrid could do with some of the French striker's magic.

Still, with just a goal between the sides, the game is still very much alive as a contest.

Barça one up at the break

The whistle sounds for the interval and it's Barcelona who head to the dressing room the happier of the side.

Last minute of added time and Barça have another corner kick.

Olmo to take but Madrid clear their lines.

Vini breaks free and is brought down in the box, the official points to the spot but then raises his hand and it's an offside against the Brazilian.

Corner (the first) for Madrid.

Raphinha clears the ball and we're into added time of which we'll have five minutes.

The ball strikes the Real Madrid post directly from the corner as both sets of players totally fail to secure contact.

Barcelona win a dangerous free just outside the Madrid box.

Rudiger fouls De Jong.

Raphinha and Ferran over the ball.... the ball strikes the wall and goes behind for a corner. The 4th for the Catalan side this evening, Madrid yet to win a corner.

Five minutes of the first half remain.

Mbappe starts to warm up for Real Madrid.

The tempo of the game is upped somewhat and the goal seems to have woken Real Madrid up as they start to deliver their most dangerous passages of play in the game so far.

Gerard Martin is carded as he clips Tchouaméni and is the first Barça player to have his name taken this evening.

The ball is in the Barça net but the flag is up with Bellingham clearly offside.

Very little is coming together for Real Madrid tonight and Ceballos isn't really dominating in the centre of the field.

Bellingham and Rodrygo are having a quiet game.

Second card of the night for Real Madrid as Olmo needs medical attention but looks okay to carry on.

Olmo fouled by Tchouaméni and the Frenchman is carded.

Barcelona ahead in Seville

Lamine Yamal with a perfect assist but what a strike from the Canary Islander leaving Courtois no chance.

First card of the night is awarded to Carlo Ancelotti for dissent.

25 gone in Seville.

Madrid second best at present in the final.

Barcelona just seem to have another level of intensity and hunger from what we've seen in the opening 20 minutes or so of the final.

The ball falls for Fran Garcia and the former Rayo man sees his effort blocked.

2 efforts on target from Barcelona to the 0 for Madrid.

Another fine effort as Kounde heads a Raphninha free kick and produces a solid stop from Courtois. 

Lamine Yamal almost puts Barcelona ahead and his effort is inches wide.

Possible spot kick there as Valverde handles the ball ... no VAR intervention and the game carries on.

Madrid are second best at present in every department.

Vinicius loses the ball and Barça launch a fine counter but a timely intervention sees the ball cut out and easy for Courtois to gather.

Quarter of an hour gone and can't recall Szczesny touching the ball so far. 

Lamine leaves Fran Garcia in his wake and earns another corner for Barça.

Hanis Flick's men have enjoyed a much better start to the final.

Mendy exits and is replaced by Fran Garcia.

The issue seems to be of a muscular nature affecting his abductor as the French international exits the pitch.

The French defender is being treated by the Madrid medical staff but Fran Garcia is going through an express warm-up and is set to enter the action with it not looking good for Mendy.

Just that one opening earlier on for Ferran which led to the corner kick.

Possession

Barcelona dominating possession so far ... 78-22 (%) in favour of the Catalans.

Madrid have secured the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental.... The Copa and FIFA Club World Cup are still up for grabs, as is the league title despite Barça holding the aces in the title race.

Barcelona are on track to win four major titles this year... The could add the Copa to the Super Copa and are in pole position in LaLiga with a handful of games remaining.

Hansi Flick's men face Inter Milan in the semifinals of the 24-25 Champions League too with the first leg coming up next week.

Dani Olmo delivers and Kounde heads well over.

Barcelona enjoying early spells of possession and Ferran Torres does well to secure the first corner of the night for the Catalan side.

We're underway in Seville

We're all set in Seville.

Barcelona start the final.

National anthem time with the Spanish anthem having no words...

Wonderful atmosphere inside the ground as both sets of fans unfurl massive tifos.

Navy and claret on one side, and white on the other. 

All set in Seville

Madrid will be hoping to stem the flow of negative results against their old foe... a 0-4 reverse in LaLiga was followed by a 5-2 defeat in Jeddah in the final of the Spanish Super Cup.

The players are in the tunnel and poised to make an entrance.

Approximately five minutes to the kick-off.

An impressive lightshow is underway as we await the arrival of the teams.

The Spanish king is present in Seville tonight and will be on hand to present the trophy to the winning captain in roughly 2 hours. He fast tracked his return from Rome where he was present this afternoon for the Pope's funeral.

Copa del Rey weather

It's an absolutely glorious April evening in Seville with the sun now setting.

The temperature is 23C/73F which are ideal conditions for both players and fans alike.

The teams have made their way back to the dressing room after completing their warm up routines.

Barça 31-20 Real Madrid

FC Barcelona are the most decorated Spanish football club when it comes to Spanish Cup wins having bagged the title 31 times, to the 20 wins for Real Madrid.

With 24 wins, Athletic Club are the other side that join the Copa del Rey wins podium.

Mendy vs Lamine

The tussle between the French defender and the Spanish international will be one of the interesting focal points of the game tonight.

Mendy is back in action after being sidelined in March with a muscular injury.

A reminder of the starting XI's should you just be joining us.

Kylian Mbappé is forced to start on the bench for Real Madrid which is the talking point of the evening.

Lamine goes blonde

The Barcelona striker warms up with the rest of his team mates as the clocks ticks towards kick-off.

Both sets of players are now warming up on the pitch ... 

Lamine Yamal is sporting a new bleached blonde look for the final.

Just 30 minutes left before kick-off.

Tonights referee

Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea is tonight's match official with his selection process and comments yesterday during the pre-game press conference leading to Real Madrid to boycott the pre-game protocol media duties.

There was even a point of Friday evening when it wasn't clear if Real Madrid would field a team but after a meeting between the club and Spanish FA, the air was cleared and it's a green light for the final.

La Cartuja filling up

Both goalkeepers are carrying out their warm-up routine as the stadium starts to fill up.

72,000 fans are expected tonight with the stadium look good after the recent renovation work.

Last final at La Cartuja ?

This is the last final of the current deal between the Andalusian regional government and the Spanish FA. Both sides are looking to extend or renew a new deal wth the idea of making the Estadio de la Cartuja in Sevilla a fixed home for Copa del Rey finals.

The venue, it has to be said is not hugely with fans as it is on the outskirts of the city with average transport links.

Gareth Bale 2014 cup winner

Here's a video of the Bale goal to refresh the memory !

(commentary courtesy of Real Madrid TV, hence the excessive jubilation)

8th Copa del Rey final meeting

Tonight's game is the eighth time Barça and Real Madrid have met in the Spanish Cup final.

As things stand, Madrid have won out on four occasions with Barcelona crowned champions three times in those meetings.

The last meeting was 2014 with Madrid edging the final in Valencia with a 2-1 win with a Gareth Bale wonder-goal enough to see the trophy head back to the Spanish capital.

Last Copa final wins....

Real Madrid are looking to secure their first Copa del Rey title in two years with the last win coming in the 2023 final as Los Blancos overcame Osasuna with a 2-1 win.

One has to go back to 2021 for the last time FC Barcelona lifted the famous trophy as the were too strong for Athletic with a comprehensive 4-0 win,

Copa del Rey: official Spanish FA teamsheet

Just a reminder of the team news for tonight's final.

Here are the starting XI's for both sides via the official RFEF (Spanish FA) teamsheet.

Fighting taints Copa atmosphere

Dispute thousands of fans from both teams enjoying the Spring sunshine and pre match vibes, a small number of troublemakers from both sets of supporters provoked a series of incidents in central Seville ahead of the final with riot police being drafted in to quell the trouble.

After 125 matches being played which delivered 376 goals in total, we’ve reached the final chapter of the 2024-25 Copa del Rey as Barcelona face Real Madrid in the final.

Real Madrid will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Arsenal as pressure ramps up on head coach Carlo Ancelotti.The Catalan side are very much the ‘kings of the cup’ having lifted the famous trophy on 31 occasions and are the most decorated team in Copa del Rey history.

This will be the third meeting between Barça and Madrid in competitive games this season with the Catalan side running out with a 0-4 win in LaLiga at the Bernabeu in October, 2024 and Hansi Flick’s men also handed out a 5-2 drubbing of ‘Los Blancos’ in the Spanish Super Cup final last January.

FC Barcelona team news imminent

We anticipate the Barça XI in a matter of minutes with 20 mins. remaining before the Spansih FA deadline.

Estadio de La Cartuja.

Kick off in Seville is at 10pm (local time) which is 4pm (ET) or 1pm (PT) and 72,000 fans are expected to pack into the stadium on the outskirts of the city centre. 

The countdown is on

Hello and a warm welcome to you all as we prepare for a massive night of Copa del Rey football. We've reached the final of this year's competition as FC Barcelona face Real Madrid in Seville.