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A Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Barcelona was never going to end quietly.
Five goals, VAR controversy and post-match chaos wrapped up a sensational night in Seville as Jules Kounde's extra time goal secured a dramatic 3-2 win for Hansi Flick's team.
As the Catalan giants now dream of a potential La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League treble this season, Real Madrid's campaign is in tatters as they aim to rally for the final weeks of 2024/25.
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to move on at the end of the campaign, with Xabi Alonso tipped to replace him in Madrid, as the Italian coach takes up a role with the Brazil national team.
Kounde's winner sparked wild celebrations for Barcelona, but the full-time whistle triggered madness on the Real Madrid bench, with three players sent off after final whistle was blown.
Referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea was heavily criticised by Real Madrid before the game - as Los Blancos cancelled their pre-final training sessions and press conference - after a failed request was made for a change of official due to complaints over his impartiality.
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Antonio Rudiger was the first to bee shown a red card by De Burgos Bengoetxea - followed swiftly by teammates Lucas Vazquez and Jude Bellingham - and the former Germany international faces a lengthy ban for his actions.
Why was Antonio Rudiger sent off vs. Barcelona?
Rudiger was substituted by Ancelotti after 111 minutes, with the experienced defender struggling with an injury, but he was back on his feet at the end of the game.
The 32-year-old threw an ice pack at De Burgos Bengoetxea and insulted the official and his team as they departed the pitch with Vazquez and Bellingham reprimanded for 'illegally entering the field of play and aggressive actions towards the officials'.
De Burgos Bengoetxea detailed the Rudger red card in his post-match report with the RFEF now set to investigate.
"In the 120th minute, Rudiger was sent off for the following reason: For throwing an object from the technical area without reaching me. After being shown the red card, he had to be restrained by several members of the technical staff, showing an aggressive attitude,” the report stated.
Rudiger has since issued an apology via social media but that will not impact the incoming ban.
There's definitely no excuse for my behaviour last night. I'm very sorry for that. We played a very good game from the 2nd half on - After 111 minutes I was not able to help my team anymore and before the final whistle I did a mistake. Sorry again to the referee and to everyone I…
— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) April 27, 2025Antonio Rudiger suspension: Can he play in La Liga?
Rules on suspension crossing over between La Liga and the Copa del Rey came into focus earlier this month following Kylian Mbappe's red card against Alaves.
In serious instances of offence, La Liga and RFEF will join forces to apply bans across multiple domestic competitions. However, this normally only applies to bans issued for four games or more and Mbappe was only banned for one.
On pitch red cards - for fouls and dissent - normally trigger one/two game suspensions, but Rudiger's direct confrontation with a referee could incur a longer ban.
Multiple outlets - including Relevo - are claiming he will serve a ban between four and 12 games which would end his La Liga season.
Vazquez and Bellingham's dismissals are expected to mean they will be banned for Copa del Rey games next season but Rudiger will be addressed immediately.
Real Madrid have five league games left to play - including a May 11 title decider at Barcelona - and Rudiger's role is unclear right now - but any ban will not carry over into the FIFA Club World Cup in June.
Real Madrid's remaining La Liga fixtures:
- Celta Vigo (H) - May 4
- Barcelona (A) - May 11
- Mallorca (H) - May 14
- Sevilla (A) - May 18
- Real Sociedad (H) - May 25
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