© AFP
Gareth Bale
scored a stunning individual goal five minutes from time to win the
Spanish Copa del Rey for Real Madrid as they overcame Barcelona 2-1 at
the Mestalla in Valencia on Wednesday. The Welshman had previously been
wayward with a series of efforts on goal, but he finally made his mark
as he galloped through on goal from inside his own half before prodding
the ball past Jose Manuel Pinto.
Madrid had gone in front after just ten minutes as Angel di Maria raced onto Karim Benzema's through ball and fired low into the corner. Marc Bartra levelled for Barça 22
minutes from time when he headed home Xavi's corner, but it was the
young defender who was left in Bale's wake as he sealed his first trophy
as a Madrid player.
Without the injured
Cristiano Ronaldo much was expected of Bale to fill the FIFA Ballon d'Or
winner's shoes and he had the first two chances of the game as he
dragged a shot across goal before Javier Mascherano deflected his next
effort just wide. Madrid were soon in front though as a flowing
counter-attack involving Isco, Bale, Benzema and finally Di Maria set
the Argentinian free and his low shot just squeezed under Pinto's
outstretched hand.
Neymar and Pepe were then booked by referee Mateu Lahoz as tempers flared after the Barça man had a penalty appeal turned down. Barça pressed
for an equaliser for the rest of the half as Cesc Fabregas' low cross
was just too strong for Neymar to connect at the back post, whilst Jordi
Alba saw a header comfortably saved by Iker Casillas.
However,
Madrid still looked the more dangerous on the break and only a great
challenge from Alba prevented Isco from turning home Bale's cut-back to
double his side's advantage. Lionel Messi was kept quiet for the
majority of the game, but he had Barca's best opening of the half when
his snap shot from the edge of the area flew wide.
Bale was first to threaten again at the start of the second half as he waltzed past two weak Barça challenges
and fired into the side-netting. And the former Tottenham Hotspur man
was close again moments later as his volley from the edge of the area
flew just over.
The chances continued to
come for Madrid as Sergio Ramos' powerful header from a corner was
straight at Pinto before the 'keeper turned another effort from Benzema
wide.
Barça's first effort on
target didn't come until 25 minutes from time when Bartra sauntered
forward from central defence and stung the palms of Iker Casillas. Bale
had the ball in the net soon after but the goal was ruled out for a foul
as he challenged with Pinto for a high ball.
Within seconds Barça were
level as Bartra directed a perfectly weighted header from Xavi's corner
just inside the far post. Both sides then had chances to win it in
normal time, but it was Bale who got the winner as he escaped the
attentions of Bartra down Madrid's left and raced in on goal to slot
home his 20th and most important goal of the season.
There
was still late drama to come as Neymar latched onto Xavi's through ball
and smacked a shot off the inside of the post with Casillas beaten.
However, there was to be no late reprieve for Barça as they
slumped to a third consecutive defeat for the first time in more than
ten years and now look certain to end the season without winning a major
trophy.
by FIFA / FlagWigs.com
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