The Copa del Rey, founded in 1903, also known as the Spanish Cub or King’s Cup, is the domestic cup competition in Spanish football, organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. It’s the equivalent of the English FA Cup, and it’s the oldest national-level football competition in Spain. The winner of the Copa del Rey typically earns a spot in the following season’s UEFA Europa League, or, if they have already qualified for Europe through league placement, the spot may go to the highest-ranked non-qualified team. The 2025 Copa del Rey final held on April 26, at the Estadio de Cartuja in Seville, featured a matchup between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Although Barcelona and Real Madrid have faced each other 38 times in the Copa del Rey throughout the competition’s history, this will only be their eighth meeting in a final.
A Jules Koundé goal in the dying minutes of extra time handed Barcelona a dramatic 3-2 win over fierce rivals Real Madrid in a raucous atmosphere at Seville’s La Cartuja stadium Saturday. Barcelona won a record-extending 32nd Spanish Cup title thanks to a stunning strike from the French defender, Jules Kounde, who pounced on a pass by Brahim Díaz and slotted a shot into the low corner from 25 yards for the 116th-minute winner. However, Madrid took control in the second half as Kylian Mbappé, who was absent from the starting 11 as he has yet to regain full fitness from an ankle injury, came off the bench to score the equaliser from a free kick in the 70th minute. Aurélien Tchouaméni gave Real Madrid the lead seven minutes later with a towering header from a corner before Ferran Torres found the equaliser in a counterattack in the 84th minute that took the game to extra time. “It was a good time to give the fans something to cheer about. Let’s enjoy it, but don’t overdo it because the Champions League semi finals are coming up in a few days,” player of the match Ferran Torres told TVE.
“Happy and tired. Without a doubt, it was the most physically demanding game I’ve played in my life. But we’re a great team who never gives up. It tastes better that way, especially when it’s Real Madrid in front of us.” The match ended on a sour note for Real Madrid, as Antonio Rüdiger and Lucas Vázquez, both on the bench after being substituted earlier, received red cards for dissent from the sidelines, with Jude Bellingham also being flashed a red after the final whistle for unsportsmanlike conduct. The loss to their fierce rivals is another blow to Madrid after they were knocked out of the Champions League quarter finals by Arsenal. This could have been its last final with Carlo Ancelotti in charge. The Italian coach said he will decide his future this summer amid speculation he is bound to take over Brazil.
