French player Jules Koundé scored in the 116th minute to give Barça a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in a thrilling Copa del Rey final worthy of a classic encounter between the two giants of Spanish football.
Barcelona were far superior in the first half, taking the lead with a goal from Pedri, but Real Madrid reacted in the second half with the introduction of Mbappé and turned the score around to make it an open and hard-fought match that was not decided until the dying moments of extra time.
Hansi Flick’s team beat their eternal rivals Real Madrid for the fourth time in a final, leveling the tally at four wins each in the finals between the two clubs. This even balance will be something both sides will be keen to break in a year’s time.
The last time Barça had beaten Real Madrid in a Cup final was in 1990, 35 years ago, with a 2-0 win, adding to their successes in 1968 (0-1) and 1983 (2-1).
The final score of 3-2 coincidentally marks Barça’s 32nd Copa del Rey title, increasing their lead over Athletic and further cementing their status as the King of Cups. The Catalan side has won one in every four Copa del Rey titles contested and has won eight in the last 15 years.
The seventh in the modern era
Despite being the King of Cups, FC Barcelona went many years without lifting the title. Specifically, after 1998, there was a long hiatus. The arrival of Pep Guardiola reignited the club’s quest for this title. The Sampedor native won in 2009 and 2012, while Luis Enrique celebrated in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Ernesto Valverde won in 2018 and Ronald Koeman in 2021. Now, in 2025, Hansi Flick joins the list.
The other Copa del Rey trophies
But there are now 32 in total. Prior to the modern era, Barça has the 1910, 1912, 1913, 1920, 1922, 1925, 1926, 1928, 1942, 1959, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1990, 1997, and 1998 trophies in its museum. 978, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1990, 1997, and 1998.
Barça’s dominance in the Cup is also reflected at the individual level. Leo Messi, Sergio Busquets and Piqué have a total of seven titles, won in the 2008-09, 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2020-21 seasons. Only Gainza, the legendary member of Athletic’s forward line, can match them.