In a pulsating Copa del Rey final that will be etched into El Clásico folklore, Jules Koundé emerged as the hero, firing Barcelona to a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid.The French defender’s clinical 112th-minute strike secured a record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title for the Blaugrana while handing Los Blancos their third consecutive defeat in this historic fixture – a first in two years.The match began amid controversy, with Real Madrid’s pre-match complaints about referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea adding fuel to an already combustible encounter.Barcelona seized early initiative, with Koundé threatening twice from set-pieces before Pedri broke the deadlock in the 29th minute with a thunderous strike after exquisite buildup play involving teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.Recommended For YouNews2025-04-25T14:59:17+00:00A/R: Pastor remanded for publishing falsehood about Adom Kyei-DuahSports2025-04-26T12:12:35+00:00Buffon, other renowned football stars pay last respect to late Pope Francis (Video)Football stars including Gianluigi Buffon and Lazio players paid tribute to Pope Francis at his funeral in Rome. Watch video as they pay their last tribute…Sports2025-04-26T23:10:44+00:00Barcelona 3-2 Real Madrid: Kounde scores winner in Copa del Rey finalCarlo Ancelotti’s halftime introduction of Kylian Mbappé nearly paid immediate dividends, but Wojciech Szczęsny produced two magnificent saves to deny Vinícius Júnior.The French superstar would eventually make his mark, curling in a sublime free-kick – the first of his career – to cancel out Barcelona’s advantage before Aurélien Tchouaméni’s towering header completed what seemed a decisive turnaround.Yet this epic encounter had more twists in store.Yamal turned provider for Ferran Torres to equalize late in regulation time, while VAR controversially overturned a potential Barcelona penalty in added time.The drama continued in extra time until Koundé, better known for defensive solidity, pounced on Luka Modrić’s errant pass to rifle home the winner, sending the Barcelona faithful into raptures.This victory marks Hansi Flick’s first trophy since taking the Barcelona helm and delivers a significant psychological blow ahead of the sides’ next meeting on May 11th.