Bale Scores Winner For Real Madrid, Win Copa del Rey

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It was only fitting that the Spanish Copa del Rey would come down to the two titans of La Liga.  Barcelona and Real Madrid met today for the third time this season to decide who would lift the King's Cup.  Barcelona won the two El Clásico meetings this season, though they sit in third place in the league table with Real Madrid second only to Atlético.

Today Real Madrid were in better form than Barcelona and took the lead early in the first-half.  On a counter-attack, Benzema sprung Ángel Di María and the winger fired off a shot between the legs of defender Jordi Alba (11').  Keeper Pinto got a hand on the shot, but could not stop the ball from reaching the net.

As expected Barcelona had the majority of possession and after half-time began to show signs to breaking down the Madrid defense.  However it was from a set-piece that Barcelona managed to equalize.  Xavi delivered a corner-kick into the box and centerback Marc Bartra won the header.  Bartra's header caught a piece of the far-post before finding the net to level the score (68').

Then in the final moments of the match Real Madrid pulled back in front thanks to a superb run by Gareth Bale.  Running up the left sideline, Bale was simply too quick for Bartra and he was able to dribble into the box and nutmeg the keeper for the winning goal (85').

Barcelona were so close to scoring another equalizer when Neymar found space inside the box moments later, but his shot cannoned off the post to deny the goal.  In the end Real Madrid held on to the lead and came away with the trophy.  It has been a disappointing season for Barcelona who have already exited the Champions League, and with this loss the Catalans miss out on another trophy.

Ronaldo Nets Champions League Hat-Trick

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The first round of group-play in the Champions League began today with Turkish league champions Galatasaray hosting Spanish giant Real Madrid.  The big news for Madrid this offseason was the major transfer of Gareth Bale from Tottenham as well as the resigning of Christiano Ronaldo.  Bale was not in the starting line-up, but Los Blancos were perfectly capable of handling Galatasaray without him.

Galatasaray started the match with all the momentum, playing in front of their home fans.  Didier Drogba, Wesley Sneijder, and Felipe Melo all looked threatening to the Madrid defense.  To further put off Madrid, keeper Casillas had a collision with teammate Ramos and came out injured before fifteen minutes had been played.

Madrid held strong though and started to take over the match.  A long ball by Di Maria from midfield to the box set up Isco for Madrid's first goal.  Isco did well to trap the long pass before finishing the shot off the post (33').  Galatasaray kept the ball out of the net for the rest of the first-half, but lost their crucial striker Drogba who injured his shoulder moments before half-time and could not continue.

Galatasaray started the second-half in a reasonable position to rally back, but Madrid had other thoughts.  Ronaldo and Benzema combined for five goals in the second-half to put the home team well out of contention.  First Benzema capitalized on a free run at goal after two Galatasaray players collided giving him an easy one-on-one with the keeper (54').

Ronaldo then scored two goals, both coming after Madrid were able to create all kinds of confusion in the Galatasaray penalty area (63', 66').  Benzema got his second when Ronaldo picked him out with a cross for an easy tap in finish (81').

Galatasaray got a small consolation goal by substitute Bulut when Amrabat played a perfect ball into the box for him, but there was not nearly time enough left to matter (84').  Ronaldo scored the final goal in stoppage-time to complete his hat-trick.  With the defense exhausted, Ronaldo easy shredded defender Chedjou before blasting his shot past the keeper (90 +1').

Real Madrid face F.C. Copenhagen then Juventus next month as the other members of Group D.  The two tied 1-1 today in their first match-up leaving Madrid alone at the top of the group.

Bale's Late Goal Spares Spurs

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A late goal by Gareth Bale gave Tottenham a much needed three points today against Southampton.  With just a few games left in the season, every point is important as next season's Champions League is still undecided.  Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton, and Tottenham are all fighting for position in the table for a top-four finish.

Tottenham had been out-played by Southampton for most of the match and nobody for the Spurs had a shot-on-goal until the last five minutes of the game.  But the first shot-on-goal was not wasted as Bale was able to score the difference maker.  Coming across the face of goal on his left foot, Bale worked the space to blast a clean shot past the outstretched arms of the keeper (86').

Tottenham Hotspurs have just three games left in the season and their place in the Champions League remains uncertain.  Today's win is a step in the right direction, though the upcoming match with Chelsea midweek will have much bigger implications.