Barca edge Madrid in extra-time to win wild Copa del Rey title

TDT | Manama

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Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid.

The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick’s reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion.

Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level.

However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.

Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for appearing to throw an object onto the pitch towards the referee, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest.

“It was a good time to bring joy to our fans -- we have to enjoy it but without forgetting the Champions League semis are coming,” Torres told La 1, with Barca hosting Inter Milan on Wednesday.

“They can make a party -- for today, it’s OK,” a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.

Madrid started with top scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle injury and lost Ferland Mendy early on with a thigh issue.

Carlo Ancelotti sent on Fran Garcia in his place, with the job of shackling Barcelona’s dazzling teenage winger Lamine Yamal.

The 17-year-old Spain star, who dyed his hair blond for the game, led the assault on Thibaut Courtois’ goal.

The Catalans, who won the first two Clasicos this season in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, scoring nine goals in the process, controlled the ball.