Lamine Yamal Taunts Real Madrid After Dazzling in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey Triumph

The Copa del Rey final on Saturday night served up yet another unforgettable chapter in the long-standing rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid.

In a dramatic, heart-pounding 3-2 victory, it was Lamine Yamal — Barcelona’s teenage wonderkid — who stole the show, proving once again that his star is only rising.

While the Blaugrana lifted yet another trophy, it was the young winger’s cheeky taunt after the final whistle that grabbed the headlines. Lamine Yamal, basking in the glory of the win, couldn’t resist a dig at Real Madrid, declaring with a grin that “this year, they can’t beat us,” as if to underline his belief that Barcelona are firmly in control of this season’s Clasicos.

Let’s break down this electrifying final, the impact of Lamine Yamal, and what his comments mean for this season’s rivalry between the two Spanish giants.

Barcelona Beat Real Madrid 3-2 in a Thrilling Copa del Rey Final

The Copa del Rey final was billed as another classic Clasico — and it certainly didn’t disappoint. From the opening whistle, it was clear that both teams had come to play. However, Barcelona immediately asserted their dominance, with Xavi Hernandez’s men looking confident and fluid from the outset.

After an early burst from Madrid, it was Barcelona who took control, with a 1-0 lead at halftime that didn’t truly reflect the extent of their dominance. It was a clinical first half from the Catalans, even if they hadn’t been able to capitalize on all of their chances. The narrative, however, was about to take a dramatic turn.

The second half saw a significant change in momentum when Kylian Mbappe, fresh from his return to action, came on for Madrid. Alongside him were the experienced heads of Luka Modric and Arda Güler, and their combined presence seemed to reinvigorate the Madrid squad. Madrid’s first breakthrough came in the form of Mbappe‘s stunning free-kick — the first of his career — which leveled the score at 1-1.

From there, Madrid seized control of the game, and just moments later, Aurelien Tchouameni’s header sent Madrid into a 2-1 lead. It seemed like Madrid were on the verge of claiming yet another Clasico victory, but Barcelona, and in particular Lamine Yamal, had other ideas.

Lamine Yamal’s Key Role in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey Triumph

Lamine Yamal was in superb form against Real Madrid once again / Fran Santiago/GettyImages

As the clock ticked down, Barcelona refused to bow out. It was Lamine Yamal, the 17-year-old prodigy, who provided the pivotal moment. With an exquisite, scooped pass over the top, Lamine Yamal picked out Ferran Torres, whose calm finish in the 84th minute brought Barcelona back into the game, sending it into extra time.

Lamine Yamal’s performance was a masterclass in composure under pressure, with his intelligent movement and precise passing offering a glimpse into the future of Barcelona’s attacking play. For a teenager to show such maturity on the biggest stage of Spanish football is extraordinary, and his influence only grew as the game stretched into extra time.

In the 116th minute, Jules Kounde sent the Barcelona fans into raptures with a late goal that sealed the 3-2 victory. But it was Lamine Yamal’s earlier contributions — the assists, the calmness, the maturity — that truly won the game for Barcelona.

With the victory, Barcelona claimed another Copa del Rey title, reinforcing their dominance in the competition. However, for Lamine Yamal, the personal triumph was the cherry on top of an already outstanding season.

“This Year, They Can’t Beat Us”: Lamine Yamal’s Bold Taunt

As Barcelona celebrated, Lamine Yamal wasn’t shy about expressing his feelings. Sporting a pair of mirrored sunglasses perched on his face and another set resting on his peroxide blonde hair, the teenager couldn’t resist taking a swipe at Real Madrid, as he declared, “This year, they can’t beat us.”

His words were delivered with a smile, but the message was clear: Barcelona had gotten the better of Real Madrid on multiple occasions this season, and in Lamine Yamal’s eyes, they weren’t about to stop anytime soon.

Indeed, this season’s Clasicos have been a one-sided affair in Barcelona’s favour. Earlier in the campaign, they handed Madrid a 4-0 thumping at the Santiago Bernabeu, followed by a resounding 5-2 victory in the Supercopa de Espana final. These results, coupled with Saturday’s Copa del Rey win, left no doubt that Barcelona are currently the team to beat in Spanish football.

The Build-Up to the Final: Controversy and Drama

The build-up to the Copa del Rey final wasn’t without its own share of drama. Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was visibly emotional during the pre-match press conference, breaking down in tears as he discussed the pressure that had been placed on officials by Real Madrid’s in-house media channel. It was clear that Madrid’s internal media strategy was becoming a hot-button issue, and with tensions high, this added an extra layer of controversy to the already-charged atmosphere surrounding the Clasico.

Further controversy came when Real Madrid initially boycotted their press duties before begrudgingly attending the pre-match formalities. This only served to stoke the flames of tension between the two clubs, and as the game unfolded, it was clear that both teams were feeling the weight of the occasion.

For Barcelona, however, this only seemed to fuel their determination. The performance on the pitch spoke volumes about their readiness to seize the moment and prove their superiority over their rivals.

Pique Gets in on the Action

The post-match celebrations weren’t limited to just Lamine Yamal. Gerard Pique, former Barcelona captain and now a retired figure from the professional football scene, also had a cheeky message for Real Madrid. In a tweet that was almost certainly aimed at their rivals, Pique posted in Catalan: “In the end, the good guys always win.”

Pique’s words resonated with the spirit of the Clasico: it’s not just about the result, but the underlying narrative that defines the rivalry. For Barcelona, this win represented not just another trophy, but a statement of intent — they were back, and Real Madrid could no longer claim dominance.

Frenkie de Jong’s Playful Criticism of Lamine Yamal’s Sunglasses

Of course, no celebration is complete without a little bit of light-hearted teasing among teammates. After the game, Frenkie de Jong, the composed Dutch midfielder, couldn’t resist poking fun at Lamine Yamal‘s choice of attire.

“Everyone has to do what they want,” de Jong said, “But there wasn’t any sun, so there’s no point in wearing sunglasses.”

It was a playful jab, but it also highlighted the youthful exuberance that Lamine Yamal brings to the Barcelona dressing room. For someone so young, Lamine Yamal’s confidence — both on and off the pitch — is refreshing, and it’s clear he’s growing into his role as one of the key figures at Barcelona.

What’s Next for Barcelona and Real Madrid?

As for Real Madrid, this loss is undoubtedly another blow to their already bruised ego this season. While they have had their moments — most notably, the return of Kylian Mbappe to their ranks — their recent struggles against Barcelona in Clasico encounters suggest that they need to rethink their approach. The battle for Spanish football supremacy is far from over, but Barcelona’s current form puts them firmly in the driver’s seat.

As for Lamine Yamal, expect more performances like this one. His taunts may have been playful, but his performances are deadly serious. With every match, he continues to carve out a legacy of his own, and if his trajectory continues, he could become one of the brightest stars in world football.

For now, though, Barcelona can bask in the glory of another Clasico victory, and as Lamine Yamal said with a grin, “This year, they can’t beat us.”