Cristiano Ronaldo(credit:
Ryu Voelkel)
Real Madrid finally got the better of Barcelona as Cristiano Ronaldo’s extra-time goal earned a 1-0 win in the Copa del Rey final.
Barca thrashed Madrid 5-0 in their first La Liga meeting this season and the two teams played out a 1-1 draw this past weekend, the first game in a run of four over a three-week period.
The Catalan giants were favourites heading into the match but were fortunate not to enter half-time a goal behind when Pepe’s header came back off the post.
Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas then took centre-stage after the interval with several fine saves to ensure Barcelona did not win Spanish football’s first piece of silverware this season, and he was rewarded in the extra period when Marcelo fed Angel Di Maria and his cross was headed home by Ronaldo.
Di Maria was then sent off in the closing moments at the Mestalla, but Madrid held on to hand Jose Mourinho his first trophy since taking charge last summer.