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The 2025 Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid will be remembered as an instant classic, delivering 120 minutes of electrifying football, late-game heroics, and contentious refereeing decisions.
Jules Koundé emerged as Barcelona’s unlikely hero, firing home an extra-time winner to secure the trophy in a pulsating 3-2 victory.
However, the match’s defining moment came after the final whistle, when Antonio Rüdiger’s fury toward referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea erupted into a shocking confrontation.
The German defender, incensed by the official’s decision to end the game immediately after a foul by Kylian Mbappé on Eric GarcÃa, attempted to hurl an ice pack toward the referee before being restrained by teammates.
Potential severe consequences for Rüdiger
The Real Madrid centre-back now faces a possible 4-to-12-match suspension under Article 101 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, which governs serious misconduct toward match officials.
If upheld, the ban would rank among the harshest penalties imposed on a Madrid player in recent years.
Real Madrid’s Response: The club is expected to appeal any suspension, standing firmly behind their veteran defender.
Timeline: A final decision from the Competition Committee could be announced imminently.
A final for the history books
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Beyond the controversy, the match itself was a spectacle—featuring relentless momentum shifts, a Mbappé free-kick equaliser, and Koundé’s decisive strike.
Yet Rüdiger’s outburst has overshadowed the footballing drama, raising questions about player discipline and officiating standards in high-stakes fixtures.
As Barcelona celebrates its record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title, Real Madrid must regroup—both on the pitch and in the boardroom—as they prepare to challenge the impending suspension.
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