rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » PHOTOS: Bale's super strike that made Real 'Kings'
This article was first published 10 years ago

PHOTOS: Bale's super strike that made Real 'Kings'

Last updated on: April 17, 2014 14:14 IST

Image: Real Madrid's Gareth Bale (centres) scores past Barcelona's goalkeeper Pinto (left) as he runs past Marc Bartra on Wednesday
Photographs: Heino Kalis/Reuters

Gareth Bale hailed a "perfect night" after his stunning winner for Real Madrid against Barcelona in Wednesday's King's Cup final, his first trophy since moving to Spain for a record fee in the close season.

PHOTOS: Bale's late strike helps Real to King's Cup win over Barca

The Wales winger sprinted from the halfway line into the penalty area five minutes from time at the Mestalla in Valencia before slipping the ball brilliantly between the legs of Barca goalkeeper Jose Manuel Pinto to seal a 2-1 victory.

After a season disrupted by a series of niggling injuries when many questioned his exorbitant price tag, it was the perfect way to reward Real's efforts in engineering his move from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

"It was a perfect night," Bale told reporters.

"It is great to win trophies and I am very happy to have won my first title with Real Madrid," added the 24-year-old.

'Bartra pushed me and tried to block me but he couldn't'

Image: Real Madrid's Gareth Bale scores past Barcelona's goalkeeper Pinto during their King's Cup final at Mestalla stadium in Valencia on Wednesday
Photographs: Albert Gea/Reuters

"This victory was for the fans for all the support they have given us, the atmosphere was fantastic."

Real are in with a chance of winning a rare treble of La Liga, Champions League and King's Cup this season and Bale said he was confident the team were capable of winning at least one more trophy.

His goal showcased his physical prowess as he left Marc Bartra, who headed Barca's 68th-minute equaliser after Angel Di Maria had opened the scoring in the 11th, for dead before homing in on goal.

"I had to run, Bartra pushed me and tried to block me but he couldn't," Bale said.

"I had to get around him. It was great to score the goal but better to win the match and the Cup."

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.