Real Madrid collapse in Copa del Rey final: Madrid’s ratings

The Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid ended in dramatic heartbreak for Los Blancos, who fell 3-2 after extra time in an electrifying encounter. It was a night that exposed both brilliance and vulnerability within Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Here’s how the Madrid players were rated after the crushing defeat.

Thibaut Courtois: 6/10

The Belgian goalkeeper started strong, showing his usual composure and sharp reflexes. However, his inexplicable decision to rush out during Ferran Torres’ equalizer proved costly. Aside from that major error, Courtois delivered a decent performance and made several important saves to keep Madrid in contention.

Lucas Vazquez: 5/10

Vazquez endured a nightmare on the right flank. Struggling to deal with Barcelona’s dynamic attacks, he found himself repeatedly exposed. His difficulties defending one-on-one situations forced Ancelotti’s hand, and he was substituted before the hour mark in an attempt to stabilize the team.

Raul Asencio: 4/10

Thrown into the fire on a massive stage, Asencio failed to impress. His defensive interventions were often clumsy, and he seemed overwhelmed by the pace and pressure of the game. At just 22 years old, it was a harsh learning experience, but his mistakes were costly on such a big night.

Antonio Rudiger: 5/10

Rudiger brought physicality to the backline but lacked the usual composure required in high-stakes matches. His early tackles were often mistimed, putting Madrid under unnecessary pressure. As the match wore on, fatigue caught up with him, and he eventually had to leave the field during the second period of extra time.

Ferland Mendy: (Non-rated) / Fran Garcia: 5/10

Mendy, starting his first match in over a month, barely lasted eight minutes before succumbing to injury. His exit forced Fran Garcia into early action. Garcia, mentally unprepared for such a high-intensity clash, struggled massively. However, his raw speed helped him recover some dangerous situations despite a generally tough outing.

Federico Valverde: 6/10

Valverde covered an enormous amount of ground but found himself isolated in a disjointed midfield. With Madrid split into two halves, Valverde was often chasing shadows. After tactical adjustments, he influenced the game more, yet it wasn’t enough to turn the tide decisively in Madrid’s favor.

Aurélien Tchouaméni: 7/10

Tchouaméni played with energy and commitment, though his tendency to foul opponents put him at risk early on. A dangerous tackle on Dani Olmo could have seen him sent off in the first half, but he survived. Redeeming himself later, Tchouaméni scored a crucial goal and anchored the midfield admirably afterward.

Dani Ceballos: 4/10

Tasked with orchestrating Madrid’s play, Ceballos struggled to impose any control. His passing lacked incisiveness, and he often failed to link effectively with the attackers. His underwhelming performance led to an early substitution shortly after halftime.

Jude Bellingham: 7/10

The English midfielder had a match of two halves. In the first, he was disconnected and sloppy in possession. However, after the break, Bellingham exploded into life, driving forward aggressively and creating chances. His beautiful through-ball to Vinicius nearly changed the outcome.

Rodrygo Goes: 2/10

A deeply disappointing night for Rodrygo. The Brazilian’s struggles in front of goal continued, offering little to no threat against Barcelona’s defense. Lacking creativity and penetration, Rodrygo was unsurprisingly hauled off at halftime to inject more urgency into Madrid’s attack.

Vinicius Junior: 6/10

Vinicius fought bravely on the left wing. Early on, he was Real Madrid’s only true offensive outlet, tormenting defenders with his dribbling. However, his energy drained as the match progressed, leaving Madrid without their usual spark when they needed it most.

Kylian Mbappé: 7/10

Coming off the bench, Mbappé immediately made his presence felt with a stunning free-kick goal. Despite not being at peak fitness, the Frenchman’s movement and directness revitalized Madrid’s attack. He showed once again why he is considered among the elite.

Luka Modric: 7/10

At 39 years old, Modric continues to defy time. His introduction brought calmness and quality to Madrid’s midfield. The Croatian maestro delivered precise passes and dictated the tempo as Madrid searched desperately for a winner, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough.

Arda Güler: 7/10

What a revelation Arda Güler was. Thrown into a high-pressure situation, the young Turk displayed incredible composure and creativity. He assisted Tchouaméni’s goal with a brilliant pass and showed flashes of the brilliance that Madrid fans can look forward to in the future.

Carlo Ancelotti: 4/10

Ancelotti’s tactical choices raised eyebrows from the start. Opting for an out-of-form Vazquez and a barely-fit Mendy backfired spectacularly. Although he reacted quickly with substitutions, his initial game plan left Madrid chasing the game for large stretches. As the season nears its conclusion, questions over Ancelotti’s decision-making are growing louder.

In the end, Real Madrid’s collapse in the Copa del Rey final was not just a matter of individual errors but also a reflection of collective disorganization. Barcelona, by contrast, capitalized brilliantly on every Madrid mistake and showed greater hunger to lift the trophy.

This loss now puts additional pressure on Real Madrid heading into the final weeks of the season. Ancelotti must rally his troops quickly if they are to salvage something from a campaign that still promises potential European glory.

The heartbreak will sting for days, if not weeks, but Madridistas will hope that lessons from this painful defeat can fuel a powerful resurgence. As for the players, some will need serious reflection about their roles moving forward.