Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid.
The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick's reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion.
Three Real players were sent off during and after a fiery conclusion to the game, including England international Jude Bellingham.
Pedri sent Barca ahead at La Cartuja but two Real 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 LaLiga leaders.
"Madrid pushed us to our limits but we showed great character and pride," said Kounde.
Barca host Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals Wednesday.
"They can make a party - for today, it's OK," a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.
Substituted Real 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 Real unravelled.
Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle for showing an "aggressive attitude" towards the referee, who wrote that the midfielder "had to be restrained by his team-mates".
"I don't want to talk about the referee," said stone-faced Real coach Ancelotti.
"I don't know what happened at the end."
Real had issued furious statements about the refereeing team Friday after they criticised the club's television channel for attacking Spanish officials this season, casting a shadow over the game.
Controversy aside, the football was enthralling.
Real started with top-scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle injury and lost Ferland Mendy early on with a thigh issue.
Barca dazzling winger Lamine Yamal, 17, dyed his hair blond for the game and led the assault on Thibaut Courtois' goal.
The Catalans, who also won the first two Clasicos this season in LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup, scoring nine goals in the process, controlled the ball.
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.
Barca's opener brought Real out of their shell - and also Mbappe off the bench to warm up.
Bellingham netted but was offside. Vinicius Junior would have won a penalty when hacked down but had also strayed off in the build-up.
Barca 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.
The referee was lenient with some heated Real tackles, perhaps cowed by Friday's drama as the Spanish champions seethed at his pre-match comments.
Real sent Mbappe on for Rodrygo Goes at half-time and soon he and Vinicius began to work Barca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
End to end
Mbappe pulled Real 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 Real 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.
Barca 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 Video Assistant Referee review.
In extra-time Barca were ascendent.
They 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 Real's pre-match histrionics regarding the officials will ensure the repercussions run on.
The teams meet again in LaLiga in May in a potential title decider.
RESULT
Barcelona 3 (Pedri 28, Torres 84, Kounde 116) Real Madrid 2 (Mbappe 70, Tchouameni 77)
