Atletico end 14-year wait to beat Real and lift Copa

Atletico end 14-year wait to beat Real and lift Copa

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Atletico de Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 in extra time at the Bernabeu to lift the Copa del Rey and end a 14-year winless run against their city rivals.

The final was a stormy affair in which both teams ended with 10-men after Cristiano Ronaldo and Gabi were dismissed, and Real boss Jose Mourinho also received his marching orders.

Real, who have been making the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks with stories of infighting and Mourinho not being in speaking terms with many of the squad, made the perfect start as they took the lead inside the quarter hour mark.

Ronaldo rose highest above two Atletico players to head home a Mezut Ozil corner. The goal was his 55th in all competitions this season and his 201st in a Real Madrid shirt.

Los Blancos were pegged back just after the half hour mark though when Falcao, so often the saviour for Atletico with his goalscoring antics, turned provider and laid on a wonderfully weighted pass through the middle for Diego Costa to fire home past a helpless Diego Lopez in the Madrid goal.

The game was played at a furious pace throughout and both sides had their chances, but Diego Simeone’s chance were lucky to get away with it at times as Los Blancos hit the woodwork on three occasions.

First, Mezut Ozil hit the post from 20 yards, before Karim Benzema was also denied in the 61st minute. Ronaldo also hit a freekick against the post, and when the rebound fell to Michael Essien he miscued his effort high and wide.

Jose Mourinho was sent away from the dugout for protesting too vehemently in the 76th minute.

Neither side could find a winner within the 90 minutes and the spectators were treated to a further 30 minutes of thrilling and tense drama. It was the Rojiblancos who eventually took the lead in the 98th minute when Miranda got infront of Diego Lopez to head in a cross by Koke.

As Real chased an equaliser tempers began to fray and Ronaldo received a red card for kicking out at Gabi. The Atletico captain was then sent off himself for a second bookable offence, but with just seconds to go it mattered little as Atletico secured their 10th Copa del Rey title.

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