The third Clasico of the season was played before 70,000 spectators
The third Clasico of the season was played before 70,000 spectators in Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium, between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Barcelona outplayed and outworked the men in white in the first few minutes, suffocating Los Blancos from the start. The Madrid defense was continually dominated by the Barca attacking line, and eventually gave in to the constant pressure. Barcelona was in possession most of the time, and it would be less than 30 minutes until they took the lead.
Fran Garcia was stood up by Lamine Yamal after Pedri played him through. Yamal then lay back to the midfielder in acres of space and struck the goal from outside the area into the top-left corner. Throughout the first half, Barcelona’s defense appeared totally secure, and Madrid hardly threatened them.
When Mbappe was brought on at halftime, Los Blancos made an immediate threat
Before Mbappe’s dashes in the center began to cause issues, Vinicius robbed Pedri and flashed one past the post. Frenkie de Jong fouled the Frenchman, who then equalized by sweeping the resultant free-kick off the left post and in. As the Madrid onslaught persisted, it appeared as though they would win the Copa Del Rey final when Aurelien Tchouameni headed in their second from a corner.
However, Yamal had other plans and sent Ferran Torres through, who passed into the gaping net after circling Courtois. Raphinha ducked past a lunging Asencio and fell to the ground, winning a penalty when the score was tied at 2-2 and it looked like game over. But the ruling was reversed following a VAR review, and extra time was played.
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As the extra time began, the enthusiasm started to wane and both teams appeared worn out
As the extra time began, the enthusiasm started to wane and both teams appeared worn out, But of nowhere Kounde slipped by Brahim Diaz after pick-pocketing him of a Luka Modric pass to intercept and shoot low into the bottom corner.
Gavi fouled Mbappe in the area just as Barcelona believed they had won it, but an offside call in the build-up salvaged the game. Eventually, the seconds passed, and Barca emerged victorious in the Copa del Rey.
Although the pregame drama was contentious, it served as a distraction from the football contest. The anger displayed during injury time or extra time summed up the officials’ continuous objections.
