BARCELONA manager Hansi Flick was thrilled with his side's heroics to roar back and grab a breath-tacking 3-2 win in extra-time and beat fierce rivals Real Madrid to lift the Copa del Rey title on Saturday.

The German coach said that his treble chasing players should not hold back in celebrating the record-extending 32nd Spanish Cup title and worry later about Wednesday's Champions League semi-finals first-leg against Inter Milan.

"It has been a simply perfect night," Flick told a press conference in the early hours of Sunday.

"I am very proud. For me, it's amazing what they are doing, how they fight. I really appreciate what they do, that they never give up. I think everyone, the club, the fans, are proud of this team.

"To win a title in a game like the Clasico against Real Madrid is always special. I'm happy for my players and for the thousands of fans who were in the stands, they deserved this title.

"Now we must celebrate and then the objective must be to recover, recover and recover. The treble is an option, but we have to keep working."

Barca, in scintillating form, recorded their third consecutive win against a stumbling Real Madrid who have already lost 4-0 at Santiago Bernabeu in LaLiga in October and 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia in January.

The blaugranas are undefeated in domestic competition since late December, playing some of the best football in Europe this season, in the driver's seat to win the Spanish league title.

Barca top LaLiga on 76 points, four ahead of Real, and after Wednesday's Champions League match against Inter, they will face last-placed Valladolid before hosting Real in a LaLiga clash that could decide the league title on May 11.

Flick attributed his side's success to the attitude of his players and how focus they have been, saying that the sky is the limit if they keep their feet on the ground.

"At the beginning of the season I said I was here, with my assistants, to create a good atmosphere in the dressing room," Flick said.

"I wanted show them they could enjoy the game and that they could play at the highest level. I think creating that atmosphere in the dressing room is important and key.

"It gives a lot of confidence. This is a matter of everybody. The staff, the players... They have a fantastic mentality. If you look at how they came back from the game, the ability to think positive to turn it around..."

Barca won a record extending 32nd Spanish Cup title thanks to a stunning strike from the French defender, who slotted a low drive into the bottom corner from 25 yards in the 116th minute.

The match ended on a sour note for Real Madrid as Antonio Ruediger and Lucas Vazquez, both on the bench after being substituted earlier, received red cards for dissent from the sidelines, with Jude Bellingham also being flashed a red after the final whistle for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Pedri put Barca ahead in the 28th minute with a brilliant curling strike into the top corner from outside the box in a first-half they dominated.

However, Real took control in the second half as Kylian Mbappe, who was absent from the starting XI as he has yet to regain full fitness from an ankle injury, came off the bench to score the equaliser from a free kick in the 70th minute.

Aurelien Tchouameni gave Real Madrid the lead seven minutes later with a towering header from a corner before Ferran Torres found the equaliser in a counter attack in the 84th minute that took the game to extra time.

Just when it seemed like the title would have to be settled in a penalty shootout, Kounde finally scored the winner that earned Barca a title that gave German manager Flick his first major title with Barca, crowning a brilliant season in which they are also bidding for the LaLiga and Champions League titles while Real are now left only with LaLiga as they bid to avoid a trophy-less campaign.

"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 semi-finals are coming up in a few days," player of the match Ferran Torres told TVE.

"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."

It was a nail-biting, ill-tempered encounter fueled by Friday's turmoil ignited after Real Madrid decided to boycott pre-match activities in protest against the Spanish FA's refereeing.

Final official Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who had given an emotional pre-match press conference on Friday, was faced with a series of challenging decisions, including an added-time penalty for Barcelona that was eventually overturned following a lengthy VAR review.

Torres had a header hit the post just before half-time, marking a one-sided first half in which Real Madrid, lacking in form, were fortunate to only be trailing by a single goal.

In an attempt to swing the momentum, Ancelotti brought on Mbappe from the bench to replace the ineffectual Rodrygo. The French forward changed the dynamic of the game, creating numerous problems for Barcelona with his high-paced combinations with Vinicius Jr.

Despite two clear chances from Vinicius Jr. being denied by stunning saves from Wojciech Szczesny, Mbappe managed to find the back of the net in the 69th minute with a low strike from a free kick.

Just as Barcelona appeared to be on the backfoot and Real Madrid were gaining control, Torres equalised in the 83rd minute. This set the stage for a dramatic conclusion, with Barcelona securing the winner to the euphoria of their fans.