Julius OkorieThe final of this year’s Copa Del Rey at the Estadio Olímpico de Sevilla had all the trappings of a great showdown between two veterans and it didn’t disappoint.
Predictions and permutations were made some came to pass and others went with the wind. One of the predictions was that Real Madrid, 20-time winners of the championship will clinch the 21st title at the expense of Barcelona, but that didn’t happen.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThen another prediction that Barcelona 31-time winners of the championship will successfully overcome Madrid and add one more title to their collections, that came to pass at the end of regulation and extra time (AET).
Hard fighting Real Madrid came close to realising set dream Saturday night. The duo of Kylian Mbappe and Aurélien Tchouaméni were on target for the Carlo Ancelotti tutored side but that was not enough to stop a Barcelona that had an ambitious Lamine Yamal on rampage all night.
He provided an early assist to Pedri who shot Barcelona into the lead as early as the 28th minute of the match. Mbappe’s equaliser in the 70th minute and increased tally by Tchouaméni signaled a determination on the part of Real Madrid to carry the day, but again the young lad Yamal was back again with his assist when it mattered most to see Ferran Torres level up before Jules Koundé delivered the icing on the cake giving Barcelona the needed victory.
Saturday’s victory further underscores what looks like supremacy of Barcelona over arch rivals Real Madrid.
Hansi Flick led Catalan giants have earned three wins from three games versus Los Blancos this season, having now defeated Carlo Ancelotti’s side 4-0 at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga, 5-2 in the Supercopa de España and now 3-2 in the Copa del Rey Final.
Despite losing the Copa Del Rey, Real Madrid are still in contention for other titles, the La Liga where they are four points below Barcelona and of course the Club World Cup later in the year.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid and German defender, Antonio Rudiger has apologised for throwing an object at the referee during the Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona on Saturday night, April 26.
Minutes before the final whistle during Real Madrid’s 3-2 defeat to FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, Antonio Rudiger and his team-mate Lucas Vazquez were shown straight red cards for over-reacting to a foul given against Kylian Mbappe.
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Rudiger, who had been substituted from the match before the incident, reportedly threw an ice cube at the referee from the bench, which could earn him a long-term ban.
“There’s definitely no excuse for my behaviour,” Rudiger wrote on his Instagram story. “I’m very sorry for that.
“Sorry again to the referee and to everyone I have disappointed.”
Adding to the drama, Real Madrid’s midfielder Jude Bellingham, 21, was also shown a red card shortly after for dissent.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea documented the incident in his match report, stating that Rudiger, 32, was dismissed for “throwing an object from the technical area, which fortunately missed me.”
According to the disciplinary code of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), Rudiger could face a significant suspension for his actions.
If the case is processed under Article 101, which pertains to “mild violence” towards referees, he may face a ban ranging from four to twelve matches.
However, if his conduct is assessed as more severe and classified under article 104, dealing with “assault against referees,” the penalties could be stiffer, potentially resulting in a suspension of three to six months, provided the act is considered a single infraction with no harmful consequences.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
