Played
April 20, 2011 8:30 PM BST
Estadio de Mestalla — Valencia
Referee:‬ Alberto Undiano‎
Attendance:‬ 55000‎
 
 
   
 
 

Player Ratings: Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid (AET)

Goal.com rates the players as Real Madrid collect the Copa del Rey trophy at the Mestalla through Cristiano Ronaldo's extra-time header

By Paul Macdonald

  • José Pinto Colorado
    82
    81
    3.50

    José Pinto Colorado

    Given the nod after playing in every Copa game, and looked smart to get down and block a Ronaldo strike before half-time. Was the hero for his team in the last minute of normal time, producing a stunning block from Di Maria's deflected strike. Also denied Adebayor instinctively in extra-time, but had no chance for Ronaldo's winner.

  • Daniel Alves
    44
    94
    3.00

    Daniel Alves

    Was unusually subdued in the first half, rarely venturing into opposition territory, and his team lacked attacking verve on the right flank as a result. Much better in the second-half, though, setting up Messi for a good opening, and also performing a perfectly-timed challenge to deny Ronaldo near the end. Caught off guard for the winner, allowing Di Maria to get in behind him to cross.

  • Piqué
    40
    93
    3.00

    Piqué

    Looked uncomfortable for spells of the first-half, and Madrid's formation appeared to unsettle him, as he appeared unsure who to mark. Improved his understanding with Mascherano as the match progressed, pushed forward in desperate search of an equaliser, but could not rally his side into a penalty shoot-out.

  • Adriano
    26
    90
    3.00

    Adriano

    Continues to improve at full-back, but enjoyed a difficult period in the first-half as Madrid looked to gain ground on his side of the pitch. Remained resilient, but couldn't produce anything positive for his side at either end of the pitch in extra-time as Madrid took the spoils.

  • Javier Mascherano
    31
    89
    3.00

    Javier Mascherano

    Lunged in on Ronaldo within 60 seconds, but recovered from some shaky moments to make some vital interceptions in his adapted defensive role. Hooked a Ronaldo shot off the line early on in the contest, but was caught for pace by the Portuguese on occasion as Madrid counter-attacked in extra-time.

  • Xavi
    50
    87
    3.00

    Xavi

    Nowhere his influential best as Madrid closed quickly to limit his passing options. So used to having a number of team-mates to feed, his creativity was stunted and he toiled to get involved in the contest. Improved slightly in the second half, but display was symptomatic of an off-colour, jaded display from his team as a whole.

  • Busquets
    25
    89
    3.00

    Busquets

    Made some uncharacteristic errors in possession early on that put his team under pressure. Couldn't quite impose his presence in the centre as he has so often does, against the physicality of Pepe, and was eventually sacrificed as Barca sought an equaliser.

  • Andrés Iniesta Luján
    40
    83
    3.00

    Andrés Iniesta Luján

    Showed some moments of great skill after what was a scrappy first-half, and began to dictate the match as Madrid grew tired. Drove his side into the contest as they searched for a goal, and his mis-hit shot almost created a winning goal in the 90th minute. After his team fell behind, though, couldn't lift them once more in order to level the match.

  • Pedro
    40
    87
    3.00

    Pedro

    Struggled to make any headway on either flank in a disappointing opening 45 minutes, but started the second well, fizzing a strike just wide of the target. Scored but was correctly adjudged to be leaning in an offside position. Lobbed effort almost caught out Casillas.

  • Lionel Messi
    104
    143
    3.00

    Lionel Messi

    Glimpses of skill were intermingled with frustration as Madrid performed a stringent man-marking job on him and stifled his forward momentum. Grew into the contest, however, and his wonderful pass set-up Pedro, who had just run offside. Drilled shot stung the gloves of Casillas, but never looked to be at his irrepressible best.

  • David Villa
    42
    106
    2.50

    David Villa Flop of the Match

    Switched flanks with Pedro as Barca looked to find space, but his touch remains slightly off and is clearly short of confidence. Got involved in an incident with Arbeloa in the first-half, but otherwise, was a periphery figure at his former stomping ground.

Substitutions

  • Seydou Keita
    19
    65
    0.00

    Seydou Keita

    Given the second half of extra-time but could not inject the energy into the side to bring about a comeback.

  • Ibrahim Afellay
    31
    57
    0.00

    Ibrahim Afellay

    Thrown on in extra-time to be a hero, but could not create a moment of glory.

  • Iker Casillas
    242
    23
    3.50

    Iker Casillas

    An absolute spectator in the first-half, barely touching the ball as Barca failed to threaten. But was called into action twice in the space of 60 seconds after the break, denying Messi low to his right, and then scooping a Pedro lob around the post. Most vital save came from Iniesta, however, stooping low to palm the midfielder's effort around the post.

  • Marcelo
    179
    21
    3.50

    Marcelo

    Had no problem keeping Pedro at bay when the winger drifted onto his flank, but lost possession too often in the final third in the first half. His attacking runs were negligible in the second period as Barca completely dominated, but stuck to his duties well, and linked with Di Maria to create Ronaldo's winner.

  • Ricardo Carvalho
    177
    18
    3.50

    Ricardo Carvalho

    Comfortably kept the Barca attack at bay in the first-half when Madrid were the better side, but was put under more pressure in the second as his side fell deeper into their own territory, and his defending became more last-ditch as Barca's influence increased. However, he was the leader that Mourinho needed him to be, and kept a wonderful clean sheet.

  • Sergio Ramos
    156
    34
    3.00

    Sergio Ramos

    Shifted into the centre due to Albiol's suspension, and gave a typically committed display, aggressive in the challenge and resolute in pressing Barca effectively. Not always perfect position-wise, but forever willing to keep the opposition at bay.

  • Arbeloa
    136
    26
    3.00

    Arbeloa

    Pedro and Villa interchanged regularly onto his flank, but the reliable full-back kept both of them at bay. An unnoticed stamp on Villa could have been given stern punishment, but he survived and remained a key part of a strong Madrid back-line.

  • Pepe
    158
    20
    3.50

    Pepe

    Formed part of the midfield three, as he did on Saturday, but an early booking seemed to curtail his all-action approach slightly, and a silly lunge on Busquets before half-time was fortunate to go unpunished. Thunderous header crashed off the inside of Pinto's post, and although tired in the second, played a key role once more against their rivals.

  • Xabi Alonso
    140
    23
    3.00

    Xabi Alonso

    A better showing from the Spanish international after his ineffective display at the weekend. He doubled up on Lionel Messi alongside Pepe to good effect, and although his set plays were desperate, his all-round performance was an accomplished one. Like Pepe, though, a booking curbed his enthusiasm in the tackle.

  • Sami Khedira
    167
    23
    3.50

    Sami Khedira

    The German remained disciplined in his position in the midfield three, maintaining a tight unit with Alonso and Pepe, and sporadically burst forward with limited effect. Worked extremely hard throughout Barca's supremacy, though, and was an unsung hero on the night.

  • Mesut Özil
    225
    25
    3.50

    Mesut Özil

    In a scrappy opening 45 minutes, the German was the only player to show any refinement. Glorious flick sent Khedira clear, then his sublime lofted pass should have been converted by Ronaldo. Glorious cross then set up Pepe's unfortunate header, and although he typically faded, every touch of the ball was considered and creative. Surprisingly replaced with 20 minutes remaining.

  • Ángel Di María
    181
    28
    3.50

    Ángel Di María

    Wasteful in possession in the opening stages, often selecting the wrong option in attack, and squandered good openings by displaying a slight lack of awareness. However, almost won the match in the dying embers of normal time, and his well-executed one-two with Marcelo helped create space for a stunning cross to feed Ronaldo. Sent off near the end, but can celebrate his first honour in Spain.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo
    282
    57
    3.50

    Cristiano Ronaldo Top of the Match

    Employed essentially as Madrid's furthermost attacking threat, but despite showing electric pace and movement, was wasteful in front of goal. Squandered three first-half chances, and was only able to test Pinto was one of them. Made no mistake, though, with a fabulous header in extra-time which gave his side the trophy.

Substitutions

  • Ezequiel Garay
    90
    23
    0.00

    Ezequiel Garay

    Thrown on in the closing stages to waste time and bring the trophy to the capital.

  • Esteban Granero
    85
    17
    0.00

    Esteban Granero

    Replaced Khedira after Ronaldo scored to inject some fresh legs into the Madrid midfield.

  • Emmanuel Adebayor
    113
    21
    3.00

    Emmanuel Adebayor

    Thrown on at the 70-minute mark, and was left to chase possession for much of his tie on the pitch, and could have clinched the win but saw his shot blocked by Pinto.

Results
 
Match News
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Diego Costa Diego Costa
Striker
Atlético Madrid
8 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
7 1
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla
6 3
David Villa David Villa
Striker
Barcelona
5 0
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
4 0