
The 2025 Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be remembered as an instant classic, delivering 120 minutes of electrifying football, late-game heroics, and contentious refereeing decisions.Jules Koundé emerged as Barcelona’s unlikely hero, firing home an extra-time winner to secure the trophy in a pulsating 3-2 victory.However, the match’s defining moment came after the final whistle, when Antonio Rüdiger’s fury toward referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea erupted into a shocking confrontation.MUST READ: Hayet Rida’s husband: Why Ghanaians are curious about her personal lifeRecommended For YouNews2025-04-25T18:56:03+00:00Nyinahin Shooting: Wife of deceased shares heartbreaking account (Video)Business2025-04-25T18:20:22+00:00Top 7 highest-paying jobs in Africa in 2025Sports2025-04-26T10:05:20+00:00Rodrygo, Mendy start in Copa del Rey final: How Madrid could line up against BarcelonaThe German defender, incensed by the official’s decision to end the game immediately after a foul by Kylian Mbappé on Eric García, attempted to hurl an ice pack toward the referee before being restrained by teammates.Potential severe consequences for RüdigerThe Real Madrid centre-back now faces a possible 4-to-12-match suspension under Article 101 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, which governs serious misconduct toward match officials.READ ALSO: Galamsey: 13 excavators seized as Chinese nationals among arrested illegal minersIf upheld, the ban would rank among the harshest penalties imposed on a Madrid player in recent years.Real Madrid’s Response: The club is expected to appeal any suspension, standing firmly behind their veteran defender.Timeline: A final decision from the Competition Committee could be announced imminently.READ MORE: Why West Ham could sell Mohammed Kudus to Al-Nassr for €100mA final for the history booksBeyond the controversy, the match itself was a spectacle—featuring relentless momentum shifts, a Mbappé free-kick equaliser, and Koundé’s decisive strike.Yet Rüdiger’s outburst has overshadowed the footballing drama, raising questions about player discipline and officiating standards in high-stakes fixtures.As Barcelona celebrates its record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title, Real Madrid must regroup—both on the pitch and in the boardroom—as they prepare to challenge the impending suspension.