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Kounde’s late strike leaves Real Madrid gobsmacked as Barcelona lift Copa del Rey title with nail-biting 3-2 win

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FC Barcelona celebrate triumph (Photo: mterstegen1/X) © Provided by Asian News International (ANI)

Seville [Spain], April 27 (ANI): A dramatic winner from an unlikely goal scorer, Jules Kounde, secured an enthralling 3-2 victory for FC Barcelona in an enchanting Copa del Rey final against their cut-throat rival Real Madrid on Saturday night at the Estadio de La Cartuja.

It was a record-extending 32nd title for Barca, a result of their relentless pursuit of glory despite trailing by one goal towards the end of the second half. After both teams stood on level terms at 2-2, Kounde produced a moment of magic, a strike that silenced the turbulent wave of white in the stands and stamped Barca’s authority with an air of swagger.

In a game where fans sang their hearts out, acted as the 12th player, the fierce rivals fought right down to the wire for the coveted title, producing a spectacle for the spectators. It all started with Pedri breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute with a sublime curling strike outside the box, which flew past Thibaut Courtois, straight into the top corner.

Real Madrid retaliated in the second half with the introduction of Kylian Mbappe from the bench. Madrid started to grow into the game, shifting the power dynamics with high-paced combinations involving Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Vinicius was denied two clear-cut chances following stunning saves from Barca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. However, moments later, Mbappe left his mark in the 70th minute by converting the free kick from the edge of the box and restoring parity.

Aurelien Tchouameni powered Los Blancos into the lead with a towering header from a corner seven minutes before Ferran Torres equalised in the 84th minute to force the game to extra time.

The game seemed destined to be decided in the penalty shootout, but Kounde had other plans in his mind. He latched on to a pass from Brahim Diaz and drilled the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards to settle the game with a 116th-minute winner.

The ‘El Clasico’ ended on a sour note after Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez, who were on the bench after being substituted earlier, received red cards for dissent from the sidelines. Jude Bellingham was also flashed a red after the final whistle for unsportsmanlike conduct.

“It was a good time to give the fans something to cheer about. Let’s enjoy it, but don’t overdo it because the Champions League semifinals are coming up in a few days.

Happy and tired. Without a doubt, it was the most physically demanding game I’ve played in my life. But we’re a great team who never gives up.

It tastes better that way, especially when it’s Real Madrid in front of us,” player of the match Ferran Torres told TVE as quoted from ESPN. (ANI)

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Chelsea mathematically out of title race after 3-0 defeat to Everton

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Chelsea are now mathematically out of the Premier League title race.

This follows their 3-0 drubbing in the hands of Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday night.

Liam Rosenior’s men came into the match with 48 points, looking to keep pace with the teams in front of them.

However, Beto opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half, before adding a second after the break.

Chelsea barely threatened Everton and looked flat for most of the game, before Iliman Ndiaye added a third.

The result means the Blues cannot match the 70 points that league leaders Arsenal currently have with seven matches left.

Champions Liverpool are also on the verge of being mathematically ruled out, as they have 49 points.

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Super Eagles player bounced me from Iheanacho’s room — Osimhen

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Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen, has claimed that a senior member of the Super Eagles squad in 2017 sent him away from a hotel room during his first call-up to the national team.

According to the 27-year-old, it was Kelechi Iheanacho who intervened and welcomed him inside.

Osimhen revealed this while appearing on a Twitch livestream with comedian, Carter Efe in the early hours of Saturday.

He said: “When I came, I met Iheanacho. And I told him, ‘ah, see me, I’m gonna carry your boots.’ So he said I should come to his room so, he gave me his room number.

“So, as I got to his room — I don’t just want to mention the name — he had a roommate. So, as I knocked on the door, the roommate opened the door. So, he like bounced me out of the room.”

Osimhen refused to reveal the identity of the player who sent him away.

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AFCON 2025; Drama as Senegal Reportedly Relocates Trophy To Military Base After CAF Decision (Video)

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Drama as Senegal reportedly relocates AFCON trophy to military base after Confederation of African Football (CAF) viral decision.

‎It would be recalled that CAF stripped Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, awarding it to Morocco instead.

This decision came after Morocco appealed the result of the January 18 final, where Senegal won 1-0 in extra time.

‎ According to the CAF Appeal Board, Senegal had forfeited the match due to their players walking off the pitch in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.

The controversy surrounds the AFCON final, where Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest of a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

In a clip circulating on the microblogging platform, X (formerly Twitter), a young man with glasses is seen holding the AFCON trophy surrounded by military personnel.

The clip captures the military personnel’s excitement as they support the trophy, with an officer recording the moment.

In a recent development, Senegal has announced plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with some officials and players expressing outrage and disappointment.

The Senegalese government has also called for an international investigation into suspected corruption within CAF.

Watch video below……

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