Real Madrid juara Copa Del Rey 2014

Real Madrid juara Copa Del Rey | Final 2014

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.