Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time to win Copa del Rey - Newstrends
Connect with us

Sports

Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time to win Copa del Rey

Published

on

Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time to win Copa del Rey

A Jules Kounde goal in the dying minutes of extra time handed Barcelona a dramatic 3-2 win over fierce rivals Real Madrid in an enthralling Copa del Rey final in a raucous atmosphere at Seville’s La Cartuja stadium on Saturday.

Barcelona won a record extending 32nd Spanish Cup title thanks to a stunning strike from the French defender, who slotted a low drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards in the 116th minute.

The match ended on a sour note for Real Madrid as Antonio Ruediger and Lucas Vazquez, 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.

Pedri put Barca ahead in the 28th minute with a brilliant curling strike into the top corner from outside the box in a first-half they dominated.

However, Real took control in the second half as Kylian Mbappe, who was absent from the starting XI 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.

Aurelien Tchouameni gave Real Madrid the lead seven minutes later with a towering header from a corner before Ferran Torres found the equaliser in a counter attack in the 84th minute that took the game to extra time.

READ ALSO:

Just when it seemed like the title would have to be settled in a penalty shootout, Kounde finally scored the winner that earned Barca a title that gave German manager Hansi Flick his first major title with Barca, crowning a brilliant season in which they are also bidding for the LaLiga and Champions League titles while Real are now left only with LaLiga as they bid to avoid a trophy-less campaign.

“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.”

It was a nail-biting, ill-tempered encounter fueled by Friday’s turmoil ignited after Real Madrid decided to boycott pre-match activities in protest against the Spanish FA’s refereeing.

Final official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who had given an emotional pre-match press conference on Friday, was faced with a series of challenging decisions, including an added-time penalty for Barcelona that was eventually overturned following a lengthy VAR review.

Torres had a header hit the post just before half-time, marking a one-sided first half in which Real Madrid, lacking in form, were fortunate to only be trailing by a single goal.

In an attempt to swing the momentum, Ancelotti brought on Mbappe from the bench to replace the ineffectual Rodrygo. The French forward changed the dynamic of the game, creating numerous problems for Barcelona with his high-paced combinations with Vinicius Jr.

Despite two clear chances from Vinicius Jr. being denied by stunning saves from Wojciech Szczesny, Mbappe managed to find the back of the net in the 69th minute with a low strike from a free kick.

Just as Barcelona appeared to be on the backfoot and Real Madrid were gaining control, Torres equalised in the 83rd minute. This set the stage for a dramatic conclusion, with Barcelona securing the winner to the euphoria of their fans.

Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time to win Copa del Rey

Loading

Sports

Nigeria Beat Jamaica To Clinch Fourth Unity Cup Crown In London

Published

on

Nigeria Beat Jamaica To Clinch Fourth Unity Cup Crown In London

Nigeria Beat Jamaica To Clinch Fourth Unity Cup Crown In London

The Super Eagles of Nigeria delivered a commanding performance to defeat Jamaica 3-0 and successfully retain the Unity Cup title, extending their dominance in the competition with a historic fourth triumph.

The highly anticipated final, played at The Valley Stadium in London, saw Eric Chelle’s side produce a disciplined and clinical display to overpower the Reggae Boyz and reaffirm Nigeria’s status as the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

The victory marked another significant milestone for the Super Eagles, who have now won all four editions of the competition since its inception in 2002.

Nigeria made an explosive start to the encounter, taking the lead just three minutes into the match through Alhassan Yusuf. The New England Revolution midfielder reacted quickest after Jamaican goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe parried an initial effort, calmly slotting home the rebound to hand the Super Eagles an early advantage.

The early goal gave Nigeria full control of proceedings as Eric Chelle’s men dictated the tempo, dominated possession, and pinned Jamaica deep inside their half for long spells.

Despite some resistance from the Reggae Boyz, Nigeria’s organised defensive structure denied Jamaica any clear-cut opportunities in the opening half.

READ ALSO:

The Super Eagles doubled their lead in the 59th minute when Terem Moffi powered home a precise cross from the left flank delivered by impressive winger Femi Azeez, whose creativity and direct running caused constant problems for the Jamaican defence.

Azeez once again proved his growing importance to the national team setup, building on his standout displays earlier in the tournament.

Jamaica attempted to fight back and briefly thought they had a route back into the contest after Kaheim Dixon went down inside the penalty area following contact with Nigerian goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. However, the referee dismissed appeals for a penalty, much to the frustration of the Caribbean side.

Nigeria remained firmly in control until stoppage time when Alhassan Yusuf completed his brace with a composed finish to seal an emphatic 3-0 victory and cap a memorable night for the midfielder.

The latest triumph further strengthens Nigeria’s Unity Cup dominance, with the team now boasting titles in 2002, 2004, 2025 and 2026.

The Unity Cup, which was revived in 2025 after a 21-year hiatus, has returned as a major Afro-Caribbean invitational tournament featuring nations with strong diaspora communities in London.

For head coach Eric Chelle, the convincing victory provides another positive sign as he continues to assess squad depth and build momentum for upcoming international competitions.

The performance of fringe players and emerging talents also offers fresh optimism for the future of the Super Eagles, with several players making a strong case for regular inclusion in Nigeria’s senior squad.

Nigeria Beat Jamaica To Clinch Fourth Unity Cup Crown In London

Loading

Continue Reading

Sports

Beraldo the Hero as PSG Conquer Arsenal to Retain Champions League Crown

Published

on

Beraldo the Hero as PSG Conquer Arsenal to Retain Champions League Crown

 

BUDAPEST, May 30 – Paris Saint-Germain etched their names into footballing immortality on Saturday night, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to win a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title. The victory at the Puskás Aréna makes PSG the first club since Real Madrid (2016-2018) to retain Europe’s most coveted trophy.

 

The final act of a tense, absorbing contest fell to an unlikely hero. With the shootout locked at 3-3, Brazilian defender Lucas Beraldo coolly dispatched his spot-kick to pile the pressure onto Arsenal. Gunners defender Gabriel Magalhães, the fifth Arsenal taker, stepped up only to see his effort saved by the sprawling Gianluigi Donnarumma, sparking wild celebrations among the Parisian contingent.

 

The dramatic finale was a cruel end to an evening that had started perfectly for the English champions. Arsenal stunned the French giants in just the sixth minute, when Kai Havertz ghosted into the box to meet a Bukayo Saka cross. The German’s clinical finish made him only the third player in history to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs, having previously netted for Chelsea in 2021.

 

For much of the match, Mikel Arteta’s side looked capable of holding onto that slender lead. Their defensive discipline nullified the threat of Kylian Mbappé (who was playing his final match for PSG) until a moment of attacking brilliance turned the tide.

 

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the livewire Georgian winger, was the architect. After collecting a pass on the left flank, he drove directly at Ben White, who clipped his heel inside the area. Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano pointed straight to the spot. Ousmane Dembélé, who had been quiet until that point, stepped up and sent David Raya the wrong way in the 65th minute to level the scores.

 

Both teams had chances to win it in regulation time. Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard forced a sharp save from Donnarumma, while PSG’s Vitinha struck the post. Extra time brought only caution, with both sides seemingly resigned to the lottery of penalties.

 

The shootout saw early misses from PSG’s Gonçalo Ramos and Arsenal’s Declan Rice, but it was Donnarumma’s save on the final Arsenal kick—and Beraldo’s nerveless finish—that sealed the result.

 

‘Written in the stars’

 

“It feels like this was written in the stars,” said a jubilant PSG captain Marquinhos. “We knew what it took to win this trophy last year, but to repeat? That requires a different kind of mentality. Everyone wrote us off when we lost Neymar and Messi, but this team has a heart of a champion. Lucas Beraldo – a boy who has never taken a penalty in his professional career – asking to take the fifth one. That is courage.”

 

For Arsenal, the defeat extended a painful European drought. The north London side has now lost all three of its major European finals (UEFA Cup 2000, Champions League 2006, and now 2026).

 

Arteta, the Arsenal manager, cut a desolate figure on the touchline but refused to blame Gabriel for the decisive miss.

 

“I cannot be prouder of this group,” Arteta said. “We played a European giant toe-to-toe for 120 minutes. The margins are cruel at this level. The missed penalty does not define Gabriel; his incredible season defines him. We will learn from this. We will be back.”

 

The victory cements a new European dynasty for PSG, who have now won the competition twice in as many years under manager Luis Enrique. Attention will now turn to the future of Kylian Mbappé, who departs the club as a back-to-back champion, having failed to find the net in his final appearance.

 

Budapest erupts, but not for the English

 

As the final whistle blew on the shootout, the 65,000-strong crowd was a sea of red and blue. Fireworks lit up the Budapest sky while the PSG players formed a guard of honor for Donnarumma, the man of the match.

 

For Paris, it is confirmation of an empire built on resilience. For Arsenal, it is the agony of what might have been. The champagne corks will pop all night along the Champs-Élysées. In north London, only silence remains.

 

PSG (1) 1 – (1) 1 Arsenal (PSG wins 4-3 on penalties)

Scorers: Dembélé (65 pen) – Havertz (6)

Attendance: 65,000

 

 

Beraldo the Hero as PSG Conquer Arsenal to Retain Champions League Crown

Loading

Continue Reading

Sports

Barcelona Step Up Pursuit of Álvarez with Official €100m Proposal

Published

on

Barcelona Step Up Pursuit of Álvarez with Official €100m Proposal
Julián Álvarez

Barcelona Step Up Pursuit of Álvarez with Official €100m Proposal

Spanish giants Barcelona have officially submitted a €100 million bid for Julián Álvarez, intensifying what is rapidly becoming one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer window.

The official Barcelona offer for Julián Álvarez is understood to be a straight cash proposal, with no player exchange or performance-related add-ons included. The bid represents the Catalan club’s first formal approach to Atlético Madrid for the Argentine forward as they seek to bolster their attacking options ahead of the new season.

Reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicate that Atlético Madrid are dissatisfied with both the timing and structure of the offer. The Madrid-based club is said to believe the proposal falls below their valuation of the World Cup-winning striker, who remains one of their most valuable assets.

Despite the initial negative reaction from Atlético’s hierarchy, negotiations remain ongoing as no final agreement has been reached between the two Spanish clubs.

READ ALSO:

A major twist in the developing transfer saga is the reported desire of Julián Álvarez to leave Atlético Madrid this summer. Sources claim the Argentine international has already informed the club of his intention to seek a new challenge, a move that could significantly influence future negotiations.

The 26-year-old forward, who joined Atlético after leaving Manchester City, has emerged as one of Barcelona’s top transfer targets as the club plans for life after veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is believed to be pushing for a marquee attacking signing capable of leading the club’s frontline for years to come, with Álvarez viewed as an ideal long-term solution due to his versatility, pressing ability and proven record at both club and international level.

However, Atlético Madrid are expected to demand between €120 million and €150 million before considering any sale. Club officials are also reportedly reluctant to sanction the departure of one of their key attacking players without first securing a replacement.

The coming days are expected to be decisive as Atlético study the proposal internally and Barcelona consider whether to improve their offer to secure the signing of the Argentine star.

Should the transfer materialise, it would rank among Barcelona’s biggest transfer deals in recent history and could significantly reshape the balance of attacking power in La Liga ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Barcelona Step Up Pursuit of Álvarez with Official €100m Proposal

Loading

Continue Reading

Trending