Real Madrid were crowned Copa del Rey champions for the 18th time after defeating Barcelona 1-0 in extra-time at the Mestalla on Wednesday evening.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s tremendous header in the first period of extra-time proved enough to separate the two sides after some valiant defending late on from Jose Mourinho's men.
The opening ten minutes were fragmented as the players clashed bringing stoppages to the game, with the league leaders keeping the ball as usual but it was Madrid who had the first sight of goal.
Mesut Ozil chipped into the path of Ronaldo but the Portuguese’s touch made the angle too acute for a shot on target and his effort was heading wide before Mascherano hacked it straight back to Madrid.
Ozil worked space for a cross and it was nearly met by his international team-mate Sami Khedira but the German’s flicked header could only take the ball away from target.
Fouls continued to come in fast and furious in the opening exchanges and referee Alberto Undiano was forced to intervene to control a melee between the two sides.
Pepe picked up the first yellow card of the game for persistant fouling as his tug on Pedro's shirt wore out the patience of Undiano.
Ronaldo found some space forcing Jose Pinto into a smart save. The Blancos broke-away resulting in 'CR7' striking low from an acute angle but the Barca ‘keeper was able to palm it away.
Pepe then raced in on Sergio Busquets, who had reclaimed the loose ball, and slid into the Blaugrana midfielder only for Undiano's to refuse Barcelona’s request of a second yellow card to be shown to the Portuguese enforcer.
Real Madrid created the best chance of the match just before the break when Ozil swung in a beautiful cross that Pepe met only to watch his header rebound off the inside of the upright and away to safety.
The second-half brought about an early penalty appeal for the Catalan side when Andres Iniesta tumbled into the area but Undiano signalled for the Spanish maestro to get back to his feet.
Barcelona began to get into their rhythm with Lionel Messi and Dani Alves combining on the edge of the Real Madrid penalty area only for the Argentina international to be crowded out at the last moment.
Crowded out | Madrid harassed and harangued Barca all night long
Barcelona thought they’d taken the lead in the 69th minute when Messi kept his balance to play in Pedro whose first time shot nestled in the back of the net only for the No. 17 to notice the offside flag on the touchline mid-celebration.
Messi then brought a fine save from Iker Casillas, who had to fling himself low to his right to palm the ball away.
Pedro became the latest player to test los Blancos’ keeper when his deft chip seemed to be creeping in at the far post only for Casillas to claw the ball away.
Barca were beginning to hit their stride and had Madrid on the back foot. Iniesta was the man on the end of the move and worked room to shoot inside the area but Casillas was equal to it again. The Spanish No. 1 made a stunning fingertip save to push his international team-mate’s effort around the far post.
Madrid came close late on to supply the winner, though Ronaldo and then Di Maria. The Portugal international had a brilliant chance after Emmanuel Adebayor’s through ball but he took too long to shoot allowing Dani Alves to recover and block the shot.
Di Maria then let fly from 20-yards only for Pinto to make a wonderful diving save to ensure the tie required a further 30 minutes before a winner was decided.
Extra-time began in typically cagey fashion as neither side mustered a clear cut chance until the 97th minute when Madrid countered at pace. Alonso pierced the Barca defence with a beautiful pass which 'CR7' latched onto only for the striker to drag his shot wide of the far post.
Ronaldo then made amends for his previous misses with a bullet header from Di Maria’s cross. The Argentine played a wonderful one-two with Marcelo before hitting a first time cross to Ronaldo who headed the ball back across Pinto, leaving the 'keeper helpless.
Pep Guardiola opted to introduce Seydou Keita and Ibrahim Afellay in search of a dramatic equaliser with the latter replacing Villa, whose goalless run stretched to 11 games but neither could make the impact the Barca coach needed.
Madrid had a chance to settle the game two minutes from the final whistle when Adebayor brought a great save from Pinto.
The drama continued late on when Di Maria was sent off late on for a second bookable offence gifting Barcelona one last chance to take the game into penalties but Madrid cleared to the sound of the final whistle.
Jose Mourinho’s first trophy for Real Madrid will be welcome boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final tie against the Catalan giants.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Breaking News,Breaking News,Breaking News
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has told him he is "adamant" he won't sign a new contract and wants to leave.
Rooney, 24, has dominated the front and back pages this week after rumours emerged he wasn't prepared to extend his deal that has just 18 months to run. With Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and bitter rivals Manchester City all link with a big money swoop for his signature, United were forced to deny reports their star player would be sold in the January transfer window.
Rooney, 24, has dominated the front and back pages this week after rumours emerged he wasn't prepared to extend his deal that has just 18 months to run. With Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea and bitter rivals Manchester City all link with a big money swoop for his signature, United were forced to deny reports their star player would be sold in the January transfer window.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Fabregas VS Barcelona
Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas has refused to rule out completing his "dream" move to Barcelona in the future, and also revealed previous interest from Real Madrid.
Fabregas, 23, seemed poised to switch to the Nou Camp in the summer after Barca led a very public chase for his signature. Manager Arsene Wenger stood firm, however, and the club's hierarchy rejected two substantial bids to leave Fabregas in north London.
Speaking to Cope.es, the Spain World Cup 2010 winner hinted that, while happy at the Emirates, he would continue to chase a transfer back to his native Catalonia.
"My answer in that moment was Barcelona and I still think that I wasn't wrong because it is a dream I have had since I was a child," Fabregas said
"I am happy about the whole episode. It couldn't be, but I still think it was a good opportunity, but I am happy in Arsenal, I have a leadership role.
"We have he quality to win titles, but we didn't have a winning mentality until now."
The playmaker also described Wenger as "like a second father" and the difficulty in telling him of his desire to leave.
"The truth is that the coach is like a second father, I did not have to lie. I told him what I thought," the Barca youth product added.
"[They] were difficult moments. Everything was diluted during the World Cup but he did not want me out of there.
"In the end, when I spoke with Wenger, he told me that the transfer was impossible."
Fabregas also declared that Real Madrid have shown an interest in his services. But if he moves back to La Liga, he will follow his "heart" and link up with Barca.
"I'm not saying which teams asked for me, but I know that Real Madrid and Barcelona have asked for me during these past seven years. I have the luck that the two clubs have asked about me and that's very important as that does not happen every day," he was quoted as saying in Marca.
"However, during the summer I was honest and spoke from the heart. During the whole summer I have known this."
Fabregas, 23, seemed poised to switch to the Nou Camp in the summer after Barca led a very public chase for his signature. Manager Arsene Wenger stood firm, however, and the club's hierarchy rejected two substantial bids to leave Fabregas in north London.
Speaking to Cope.es, the Spain World Cup 2010 winner hinted that, while happy at the Emirates, he would continue to chase a transfer back to his native Catalonia.
"My answer in that moment was Barcelona and I still think that I wasn't wrong because it is a dream I have had since I was a child," Fabregas said
"I am happy about the whole episode. It couldn't be, but I still think it was a good opportunity, but I am happy in Arsenal, I have a leadership role.
"We have he quality to win titles, but we didn't have a winning mentality until now."
The playmaker also described Wenger as "like a second father" and the difficulty in telling him of his desire to leave.
"The truth is that the coach is like a second father, I did not have to lie. I told him what I thought," the Barca youth product added.
"[They] were difficult moments. Everything was diluted during the World Cup but he did not want me out of there.
"In the end, when I spoke with Wenger, he told me that the transfer was impossible."
Fabregas also declared that Real Madrid have shown an interest in his services. But if he moves back to La Liga, he will follow his "heart" and link up with Barca.
"I'm not saying which teams asked for me, but I know that Real Madrid and Barcelona have asked for me during these past seven years. I have the luck that the two clubs have asked about me and that's very important as that does not happen every day," he was quoted as saying in Marca.
"However, during the summer I was honest and spoke from the heart. During the whole summer I have known this."
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Check This Out From www.kingsley-football.blogspot.com
Manchester United Eye Shock January Move For Lyon Schemer Yoann Gourcuff.
Manchester United are eyeing a shock £18 million move for Yoann Gourcuff after his summer switch to Lyon turned sour, according to the Daily Star.Gourcuff, 24, moved to the Stade de Gerland outfit from Bordeaux in August but has already fallen out with head coach Claude Puel. This disturbance has alerted Sir Alex Ferguson to the reigning French Footballer of the Year.
Manchester City and Arsenal had been linked with his signature in the past and the Scot is weighing up whether to lodge a bid as early as January. Standard Liege's Steven Defour remains a target, though the classy France international tops United's wish list.
Manchester United are eyeing a shock £18 million move for Yoann Gourcuff after his summer switch to Lyon turned sour, according to the Daily Star.Gourcuff, 24, moved to the Stade de Gerland outfit from Bordeaux in August but has already fallen out with head coach Claude Puel. This disturbance has alerted Sir Alex Ferguson to the reigning French Footballer of the Year.
Manchester City and Arsenal had been linked with his signature in the past and the Scot is weighing up whether to lodge a bid as early as January. Standard Liege's Steven Defour remains a target, though the classy France international tops United's wish list.
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