Gareth Bale scored the most important goal of his career to win the Copa del Rey for Real Madrid, netting the decisive goal against fierce rivals Barcelona in the final at the Mestalla.
The most expensive player in the world raced from the halfway line down the left wing before poking the ball past Jose Manuel Pinto to restore Madrid's lead with five minutes remaining, after Marc Bartra had cancelled out Angel di María's first-half opener.
Bale celebrates his sublime winner that clinched a Copa del Rey win for Real
The Welshman had produced his best performance in his third game against Barcelona but had failed to find the net, yet his guile paid off as his stunning late strike gave Madrid their 19th Copa del Rey, and the first trophy under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Copa del Rey final
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(01 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale reacts after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. Real Madrid won 2-1. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(02 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF shoots towards goal under a challenge by Javier Mascherano of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(03 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Barcelona fans cheers their team during warm-up ahead of the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(04 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Barcelona fans wave flags ahead of the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(05 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Barcelona fans wave flags ahead of the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(06 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Barcelona fans cheer their team during warm-up ahead of the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(07 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Jordi Alba (L) of Barcelona is tackled by Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(08 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF shoots towards goal under a challenge by Javier Mascherano of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(09 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Lionel Messi (L) and Xavi Hernandez of Barcelona react after Real Madrid scored their opening goal during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(10 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Ream Madrid players celebrate after Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid CF scored the opening goal under a challenge by Jordi Alba of FC Barcelona during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(11 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona clears the ball under pressure from Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(12 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Jordi Alba (L) of Barcelona is tackled by Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(13 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Sergio Busquets of FC Barcelona clears the ball under pressure from Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(14 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid reacts during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(15 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: King Juan Carlos (L) of Spain looks on beside a Catalonian flag during the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(16 of40)
The Copa del Rey trophy is seen during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(17 of40)
Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti (R) celebrates with Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale after winning the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. Real Madrid won the match 2-1. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(18 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) and Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos celebrate after winning the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. Real Madrid won the match 2-1. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(19 of40)
Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti (R) celebrates with Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale after winning the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. Real Madrid won the match 2-1. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(20 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(21 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) celebrates with Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(22 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (R) celebrates past Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(23 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(24 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) scores during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. Real Madrid won 2-1. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(25 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(26 of40)
Real Madrid's midfielder Xabi Alonso (Top) congratulates Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale after he scored during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(27 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(28 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (R) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO / CESAR MANSO (Photo credit should read CESAR MANSO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(29 of40)
Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric (Back) congratulates Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale after he scored during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(30 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (C) scores during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(31 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (R) celebrates past Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(32 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(33 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-CUP-BARCELONA-REALMADRID-FINAL(34 of40)
Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring during the Spanish Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final 'Clasico' football match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on April 16, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ DANI POZO (Photo credit should read DANI POZO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(35 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Real Madrid CF players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(36 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Iker Casillas of Real Madrid CF celebrates with the trophy after winning the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(37 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Real Madrid CF players Pepe (L) and Sergio Ramos celebrate with the trophy after winning the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(38 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Iker Casillas of Real Madrid CF celebrates with the trophy after winning the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(39 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Iker Casillas of Real Madrid CF celebrates with the trophy after winning the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Real Madrid v Barcelona - Copa del Rey Final(40 of40)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Real Madrid CF players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Copa del Rey Final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Mestalla on April 16, 2014 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)