Real Madrid player ratings vs Barcelona: Kylian Mbappe heroics in vain as Brahim Diaz’s sloppy error costs Los Blancos in Copa del Rey final

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Carlo Ancelotti’s quest to secure silverware during his final campaign with the Blancos began on a sour note, suffering a Clasico loss.

Real Madrid’s campaign endured another setback on Saturday evening when a mistake by Brahim Diaz during added time handed Barcelona the Copa del Rey in a tense extra-time Clasico, which ended 3-2 in favor of the Catalans. Madrid were completely outplayed early on but fought back to push the match into added time—only for Jules Kounde to net the winning goal in the 116th minute for the Blaugrana.

Madrid couldn’t get going in the early stages. Without Mbappe, they opted for a more defensive stance. However, their recurring midfield struggles showed once again. Barcelona sliced through them with ease—Lamine Yamal opened space, beat his marker, and set up Pedri, who blasted a shot into the top corner from range. It might have been worse: Yamal missed narrowly, and Olmo struck the woodwork. Madrid did threaten briefly, having one goal ruled out and a penalty overturned due to an offside call.

Things improved after the break when Mbappe was introduced. Vinicius Jr had a couple of chances stopped, and Mbappe was denied from close range. Vinicius nearly found the net again after Modric dispossessed Pedri, but curled his shot wide. Eventually, Mbappe drew level with a curling free-kick that struck the post and went in with 20 minutes remaining. Then, Tchouameni gave Madrid the advantage by shaking off his marker and nodding in from a corner.

But Madrid’s lead felt fragile. Yamal made sure of that, sliding a clever pass to Ferran Torres, who rounded the keeper and scored. Late controversy flared when Barcelona were given a penalty, only for it to be overturned in added time.

Extra time was tense and cautious. Without Vinicius, Madrid lacked bite in attack, while Barcelona began to tire. Torres had the best chance early in extra time, but missed narrowly. Kounde then stepped up, capitalizing on a poor pass and firing in from distance to seal the win. A season already marred by disappointment took another dip.

**GOAL’s Ratings for Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja:**

**Goalkeeper & Defense**

**Thibaut Courtois (5/10):**

Had no chance with Pedri’s strike. Slight misjudgment on the equalizer and shouldn’t have rushed out. Couldn’t prevent the winner.

**Lucas Vazquez (6/10):**

Put in a steady shift at right back. Did well against Raphinha overall.

**Raul Asencio (5/10):**

Made a rash tackle late on and was lucky that the penalty was overturned.

**Antonio Rudiger (6/10):**

Lost track of Ferran on the leveller but was otherwise his usual gritty presence.

**Ferland Mendy (N/A):**

Had to come off inside 15 minutes due to an injury.

**Midfield**

**Aurelien Tchouameni (8/10):**

Impressive in possession and tenacious in regaining the ball, though left exposed at times. Scored a brilliant header.

**Federico Valverde (6/10):**

Mostly occupied covering gaps left by teammates.

**Dani Ceballos (5/10):**

Struggled to impact the match and spent most of it chasing.

**Jude Bellingham (8/10):**

Played deeper than usual and influenced play with aggression and sharp passing after halftime.

**Attack**

**Vinicius Jr (6/10):**

Had trouble breaking through Barca’s back line early, improved after halftime, but had to leave the match late due to injury.

**Rodrygo (4/10):**

Barely contributed, only made eight passes, and was subbed off at halftime.

**Substitutes & Manager**

**Fran Garcia (6/10):**

Came on for Mendy but couldn’t contain Yamal consistently.

**Kylian Mbappe (8/10):**

Shifted the momentum after coming on, narrowly missed twice, and scored the equalizer.

**Arda Guler (7/10):**

Delivered the corner for Madrid’s second and added spark with his playmaking.

**Luka Modric (6/10):**

Controlled phases of play, but his errant pass led to Kounde’s goal.

**Brahim Diaz (N/A):**

Switched off at a key moment, allowing Kounde to score the winner.

**Endrick (N/A):**

Didn’t have time to make an impression.

**Carlo Ancelotti (4/10):**

Started in a 4-4-2 due to Mbappe’s absence. Stayed with it in the second half, eventually brought Mbappe on. Defensive flaws persisted, and Barcelona earned the win.

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