Copa Del Rey: 3 Takeaways From Barça’s Dramatic Win

We couldn’t have hoped for a more dramatic climax to the 123rd edition of the Copa del Rey Tournament. The finale of Spain’s version of the FA Cup had a bunch riding on it this year, especially for Real Madrid. The team from the capital trailed Barcelona in the race for the La Liga title by four points. The fact they were kicked out of the Champions League meant that the Copa represented their most realistic shot at silverware. 

For the Catalans, this Copa Del Rey final could be the first step towards a historic treble. Here are a few things this writer surmised from their extra-time victory. 

Are Real Madrid Sore losers?

It’s not the first time we have seen this. Memories of their Ballon d’Or ceremony boycott are still fresh in many minds. With defeat looming after Jules Koundé’s extra-time goal, Defender Antonio Rüdiger was seen moving menacingly towards the referee. He, Jude Bellingham, and Lucas Vázquez were shown red cards for their aggressive reactions at the end of the game. 

If there was a team that deserved to be mad at the match officials, it was Barcelona. They were denied what looked to be a clear penalty when Raphinha was brought down in the box in injury time. It wouldn’t have been the first time that the on-field ref or VAR has ruled in Los Blancos favor in crucial games. It was the players in white who appeared ready to assault the referee. They were mad at a free kick given against them while launching their final attack. To be fair, they were mad at the match officials well before kick-off. 

Kylian Mbappé Outscores Ronaldo

It’s shaping up to be a season to forget for Real Madrid, especially after that painful Copa del Rey defeat. But there is a personal silver lining in this cloud for the French striker. With a couple of games still left to play, he has already outscored the great Cristiano Ronaldo. That is in terms of goals scored in their debut seasons. 

Mbappé’s participation in the Copa del Rey final was in doubt following an ankle injury that ruled him out of Real’s last two league games. But he came on as a second-half sub and scored in the 70th minute, bringing his goal tally to 34 goals. Only Chilean legend Ivan Zamorano has scored more goals in a debut season at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

But to echo the Real number 9’s sentiments, such personal accolades will ring hollow if Los Merengues finish the season empty-handed.

Will Barça Do the Treble?

The way Hansi Flick’s young guns are playing, claims they are the best team in Europe now don’t sound far-fetched. Saturday’s win was the third time they’ve beaten Real Madrid this season. No other domestic rival appears capable of stopping the Barça juggernaut. Gritty wins over Mallorca and Celta Vigo have proven that the Calatans have more than just skill; they have the mentality of champions. 

In Europe, Barcelona are odds-on favorite to power past Inter Milan in their semi-final tie. While the Blaugrana look set to finish the season strong, their Italian opponents are floundering. From a commanding position atop the Serie A table, the Nerrazzuri now find themselves three points behind Napoli. 

They were beaten at home yesterday by AS Roma, who just needed a solitary 22nd-minute goal to grab all three points. The injury-enforced absences of Marcus Thuram and Alessandro Bastoni are proving costly at the business end of the season. Flick’s boys won’t struggle to dispatch this tired, depleted squad out of the Champions League.  

Fast-forwarding to the UCL finals, Barça will be the favorites against either Arsenal or PSG, with all due respect to the English and French sides. Probably Arsenal’s defense has a better chance against Lamine Yamal and Co. but even they can’t keep him quiet for 90 minutes. And the hard-fought Copa del Rey win has proven that Barcelona has what it takes to battle well beyond regulation time.