Copa del Rey: Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid - Five talking points

Los Blancos rose to the occasion despite the absence of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to thump the Catalan giants 2-1 and deservingly bag their first silverware of the season in a nerve-wracking contest.Real Madrid were off to a flyer courtesy Angel Di Maria who was set up brilliantly by one-touch passes from Gareth Bale & Karim Benzema. It was too little too late for Jordi Alba, who did well to track back as a tenuous shot from Di Maria was all it took to beat second choice goalkeeper Jose Pinto.The Blaugranas responded well in the first half, dictating the game and opening Los Blancos up on a few occasions, but Iker Casillas could go into half-time with a nice and clean Real Madrid shirt.The onus was on the experience of Xavi-Iniesta and the trickery of Neymar-Messi to produce the much needed magical moment for the Blaugranas but it was Marc Bartra who pulled a rabbit out of the hat with a thumping header from Xavis corner to make it all square.The fate of the match turned on its head and the Catalans werent far from an amazing comeback in the Copa del Rey final. But the tables turned once again owing to a blistering 50 meter run followed by a cool finish from Gareth Bale to make it 2-1 and put the final to bed.

#1 Tale of two halves

A tale of two halves it was at the Mestalla stadium where both teams enjoyed a fair share of the upper hand. The momentum see-sawed between the Spanish giants and the outcome remained unpredictable until the final whistle.

It was another day in the office for Barcelona in terms of dominating possession, composure on the ball, looking to find spaces in the Blancos defense while Real Madrid constantly seemed dangerous on the break. Los Blancos went off to a flyer but the momentum subsided gradually towards the Blaugranas, who gave them a real run for their money.

However, a stunner from the 100 million Welshman settled the cup final which was arguably the best Clasico of the season.