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Agence France-Presse

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde 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.
Hansi Flick’s side, aiming for a quadruple this season, extended their record of Spanish cup wins to 32 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 Mbappe 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 Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.

“Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride,” Kounde said.
Barca host Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.
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 then red carded after the final whistle for showing an “aggressive attitude” towards the referee, who wrote that the midfielder “had to be restrained by his teammates”.
“I don’t want to talk about the referee,” Madrid coach Ancelotti said after the match. “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.
But, controversy aside, the football was enthralling.
Madrid started with top scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle injury and lost Ferland Mendy early on with a thigh issue.
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, 17, dyed his hair blond for the game and led the assault on Thibaut Courtois’ goal.
The Catalans had beaten their Clasico rivals 4-0 and 5-2 in their previous encounters this season.

They took the lead after 28 minutes, Pedri placing the ball into the top corner with precision and power from the edge of the box, a sensational goal set up by Yamal.
Barcelona could have doubled their lead, with Dani Olmo’s corner hitting the post and Cubarsi unable to turn home as Dani Ceballos held him back.
Madrid sent Mbappe on for Rodrygo at half-time and soon he and Vinicius Junior began to work Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
Mbappe 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.
Barca 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.
Barcelona found their winner when Kounde 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.


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Spanish La Liga

Bellingham among three Real Madrid players sent off as Barcelona win fiery cup final

Barcelona players celebrate victory over Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final in Seville. Photo: EPA

Real Madrid had three players sent off in their Copa del Rey final defeat. Photo: AP

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal celebrates with the Copa del Rey trophy. Photo: AP

Family over glory for Hong Kong footballer who captained Neymar, Alisson and Casemiro

Gerson Vieira sometimes shares stories about Tai Po with his illustrious former Brazil colleagues. Photo: Sun Yeung

Midfielder Gerson Vieira is at peace with his career choices after lifting his family out of poverty. Photo: Sun Yeung

Neymar in action for Paris Saint-Germain against Nice in May 2019. Photo: AFP

Casemiro (left) was with a mutual friend when he recently video called old Brazil colleague Vieira. Photo: Reuters

AFC Champions League: 4-time champions Al-Hilal hit 7 past Gwangju to reach semi-finals

Al-Hilal’s former Asian Footballer of the Year Salem Al-Dawsari (left) scored a goal against Gwangju to become joint-top scorer in this season’s tournament.  Photo: Reuters

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr take on Japan’s Yokohama F-Marinos on Saturday. Photo Reuters

Sport

Football

Substitute Antonio Rudiger sees red for ‘throwing an object’ at referee amid pre-match controversy surrounding officials


Substitute Antonio Rudiger sees red for ‘throwing an object’ at referee amid pre-match controversy surrounding officials.


Bellingham among three Real Madrid players sent off as Barcelona win fiery cup final

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Substitute Antonio Rudiger sees red for ‘throwing an object’ at referee amid pre-match controversy surrounding officials

Substitute Antonio Rudiger sees red for ‘throwing an object’ at referee amid pre-match controversy surrounding officials