BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona and Real Madrid faced off in the Copa del Rey final on April 26, 2025, for more than just glory and silverware. This match had huge implications for both teams, with Barcelona aiming for the first trophy in a potential treble and Real Madrid seeking redemption after exiting the Champions League.
In the early minutes, Barcelona dominated possession, showing a level of intensity that left Real Madrid chasing shadows. The breakthrough came in the 28th minute when Barcelona’s Pedri scored a stunning goal from the edge of the box, curling it into the top corner, leaving Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with no chance. “What a strike! Pedri has opened the scoring with a rocket!” cheered the commentators.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, known for his calm demeanor, was shown a yellow card for dissent after protesting a foul called against his team. The atmosphere escalated as Real Madrid struggled to establish any rhythm in their play. Lucas Vazquez, Real’s captain, was unable to rally his teammates as they found themselves under constant pressure.
The first half continued with Barcelona maintaining their grip on the match. Raphinha and 17-year-old Lamine Yamal created waves down the wings, constantly troubling Madrid’s backline. A close header from Jules Koundé nearly doubled the score, but Courtois was alerted to punch it away. “Barcelona seem to be everywhere!” exclaimed fans, with many pondering how long Real Madrid could withstand the onslaught.
Real Madrid made an early substitution when defender Ferland Mendy had to leave the pitch due to an apparent injury, which appeared to benefit Barcelona as Yamal found more space to exploit. Fran Garcia replaced Mendy, but Real struggled to adapt. Madrid managed to mount attacks, but they were mostly toothless against the disciplined Barcelona defense.
“We want to fight for every title and now we have this opportunity,” said Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick before the match. With Barcelona leading 1-0 at halftime, the Catalans were fully aware that another goal could swing the match decisively in their favor.
The second half began with Madrid looking to find their footing, but Barcelona’s backline remained resolute. Although there were glimpses of hope for Real, including a questionable handball appeal against Federico Valverde that was waved away, they still struggled to create clear chances.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, missing stars like Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Carvajal due to injuries, faced another blow as they were unable to transfer their attacking threats into scoring opportunities. Barcelona continued to dominate, boasting a whopping 69.9% possession at one point, while Madrid languished at just 30.1%.
With the clock ticking down and stress mounting on the Madrid bench, the pressure intensified as another yellow card was shown, this time to Tchouaméni for a foul on Dani Olmo. Barcelona maintained their composure, and the fans cheered as they closed in on their first trophy of the season.
Barcelona’s efficiency in defense allowed them to control the pace of the game, leaving Real Madrid to rely heavily on counter-attacks, which were effectively thwarted. As the final whistle approached, the excitement and tension were palpable in the stadium.
Ultimately, Barcelona’s triumph in this Copa del Rey final not only adds to their impressive trophy cabinet but also sets the stage for a promising finish to their season. As players and fans celebrated, Real Madrid faced serious questions ahead regarding their campaign under Ancelotti amidst criticism and uncertainty.
The King of Spain was scheduled to present the cup to Barcelona’s captain, marking a memorable night in Seville for the Catalan side.”
