Barcelona Edge Real Madrid 3-2 in Copa del Rey Final as Ancelotti Laments Costly Error

Barcelona clinched a record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title on Saturday, April 26, 2025, defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling extra-time El Clásico final at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, as reported by The Athletic, BBC Sport, and Sporting News. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti attributed the loss to “small margins,” pinpointing a critical miscommunication between captain Luka Modric and Brahim Diaz that led to Jules Koundé’s 116th-minute winning goal, per Marca and Daily Post Nigeria.

The match began with Barcelona dominating, as Pedri fired a stunning 28th-minute strike from a Lamine Yamal cut-back, giving the Catalans a 1-0 halftime lead. Real Madrid, hampered by injuries to Eduardo Camavinga (out for the season with a torn adductor tendon) and Ferland Mendy (substituted after 11 minutes), struggled without Kylian Mbappé, who started on the bench due to a knee concern, per World Soccer Talk. Ancelotti’s halftime gamble to introduce Mbappé paid off, as the Frenchman curled a sublime 70th-minute free-kick to equalize, marking his 33rd goal for the club. Seven minutes later, Aurélien Tchouaméni headed in from Arda Güler’s corner to put Real Madrid 2-1 ahead, seemingly in control with 13 minutes remaining.

Barcelona, however, fought back. Ferran Torres capitalized on a precise Yamal pass in the 84th minute, rounding goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to level the score at 2-2, forcing extra time. As penalties loomed, a fatal error occurred in the 116th minute when Modric’s pass to Diaz, intended to go in front, was misread by Diaz, who expected it at his feet. Koundé intercepted, unleashing a low, hard 22-yard strike past Courtois to secure the victory. Ancelotti reflected, “Was it Modric’s mistake or Brahim’s? Brahim thought Luka would have played the pass to feet and not in front. Koundé then shoots low and hard into the goal. These are small details that sometimes cost you nothing, and other times they cost you a lot,” as quoted by Marca. He added, “We have two days to rest now. Then we will prepare for two important games against Celta Vigo and Barcelona.”

The defeat, Real Madrid’s third to Barcelona this season, ended their hopes of a domestic double and intensified scrutiny on Ancelotti, with Madrid Universal and Yahoo Sports suggesting his tenure may end, potentially with Santiago Solari or Raúl González as interim replacements. Real Madrid’s late collapse was compounded by disciplinary issues, with Antonio Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez, and Jude Bellingham receiving red cards post-match, per BBC Sport. Barcelona’s Hansi Flick, meanwhile, keeps his treble hopes alive, with a four-point La Liga lead and a Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan upcoming, per The Athletic.

X posts, including @anadoluagency and @PulseGhana, celebrated Barcelona’s triumph, noting King Felipe VI’s trophy presentation and Koundé’s heroics. However, @managingmadrid and @fiifi_manfred highlighted Real Madrid’s second-half resilience and Barcelona’s counter-pressing, respectively. Ancelotti remained defiant, stating, “We were closer to winning than our opponents were,” and urged focus on the May 4 Celta Vigo match and the May 11 La Liga El Clásico, per Marca. Despite the loss, Real Madrid’s fightback showcased their depth, but the costly error underscored the fine margins that defined this epic final.