AFP
Barcelona defender Jules Koundé 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.
Three Real Madrid players were sent off during and after a fiery conclusion to the game, including England international Jude Bellingham.
Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappé 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 Koundé drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.
"Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride," said Koundé.
Barca host Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals 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.
Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for "throwing an object" onto the pitch towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, according to the official's report, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled.
Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle for showing an "aggressive attitude" towards the referee, who wrote that the midfielder "had to be restrained by his team-mates".
"I don't want to talk about the referee," said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti.
"I don't know what happened at the end."
Madrid had issued furious statements about the refereeing team on Friday after they criticised the club's television channel for attacking Spanish officials this season, casting a shadow over the game.
Controversy aside, the football was enthralling.
End to end
Mbappé pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute, brought down after surging forward and firing home the free-kick off the post.
Seven minutes later Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni heading in Arda Guler's corner.
Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard beat both and rolled home.
Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra-time.
Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger tripped Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure – but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
In extra-time Barcelona were ascendent.
They found their winner when Koundé intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois from range, sparking wild celebrations.
The trio of dismissals and Madrid's pre-match histrionics regarding the officials will ensure the repercussions run on.
The teams meet again in La Liga in May in a potential title decider.
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.
Three Real Madrid players were sent off during and after a fiery conclusion to the game, including England international Jude Bellingham.
Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappé 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 Koundé drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.
"Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride," said Koundé.
Barca host Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals 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.
Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for "throwing an object" onto the pitch towards referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, according to the official's report, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest as Madrid unravelled.
Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle for showing an "aggressive attitude" towards the referee, who wrote that the midfielder "had to be restrained by his team-mates".
"I don't want to talk about the referee," said stone-faced Madrid coach Ancelotti.
"I don't know what happened at the end."
Madrid had issued furious statements about the refereeing team on Friday after they criticised the club's television channel for attacking Spanish officials this season, casting a shadow over the game.
Controversy aside, the football was enthralling.
End to end
Mbappé pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute, brought down after surging forward and firing home the free-kick off the post.
Seven minutes later Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni heading in Arda Guler's corner.
Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard beat both and rolled home.
Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra-time.
Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger tripped Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure – but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
In extra-time Barcelona were ascendent.
They found their winner when Koundé intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois from range, sparking wild celebrations.
The trio of dismissals and Madrid's pre-match histrionics regarding the officials will ensure the repercussions run on.
The teams meet again in La Liga in May in a potential title decider.
