MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 02:19:16| >> :60:311:311:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
Copa del Rey | Final
Apr 16, 2014 at 8.30pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

1-2

Bartra (69')
FT(HT: 0-1)
di Maria (11'), Bale (85')

Late Gareth Bale strike seals Copa del Rey win for Real Madrid

A late goal from Gareth Bale gives Real Madrid a 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.

A late strike from Gareth Bale has given Real Madrid their 19th Copa del Rey success as they beat Barcelona 2-1 in the final at the Mestalla this evening.

Bale posed an early threat for Real, as he drilled the ball just wide before forcing a corner with another effort inside the opening 10 minutes.

It did not take long for Los Blancos to edge ahead though, as Karim Benzema played the ball forward for Angel di Maria, who sent in a low strike for the opening goal of the match.

Real's Angel di Maria is congratulated by team mates after scoring the opening goal against Barcelona during the Copa del Rey final match on April 16, 2014© AFP

Barcelona believed that they should have had a penalty when Neymar tangled with Fabio Coentrao inside the box, but the referee was not interested, leading to an altercation between both sets of players.

Lionel Messi had a good chance shortly before the half-time whistle, but he mishit the ball from the edge of the box, failing to trouble Iker Casillas.

Bale continued to look lively after the break, playing his way into the box inside the opening five minutes before tapping just wide.

The Welshman eventually found the back of the net with just over 20 minutes left to go, but his goal was disallowed for a foul in the buildup.

Barcelona immediately capitalised on their opponents' error, with Marc Bartra heading in at the other end just moments after Bale's effort was ruled out.

The equaliser seemed to lift Barca as full time approached as Messi created a chance for Pedro, but Pepe was able to clear the danger for Real.

Gareth Bale of Real Madrid reacts after scoring Real's 2nd goal during the opa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014© Getty Images

It looked like the match would be heading for extra time until Bale made a blistering run down the left side before beating Bartra on the edge of the box to squeeze the ball into the bottom corner.

Neymar almost got Barcelona back into the tie in the final moments, smashing the ball towards the Real goal, but his shot was kept out by the post.

ID:150284: cacheID:150284:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5140:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Argentinian midfielder Angel di Maria during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid vs Malaga on October 19, 2013
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Di Maria gives Real lead
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!