2011 Copa del Rey Final
The 2011 Copa del Rey final was the 107th final since its establishment. The match was a traditional 'El Clásico' rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid which took place on 20 April 2011 at the Estadio Mestalla, making it the sixth such Copa del Rey final (the last one was played also in Valencia on 5 April 1990), just four days after the two teams played each other in La Liga and seven days before they played each other in the UEFA Champions League first leg semi-final. Real Madrid lifted the trophy for the eighteenth time in their history with a 1–0 victory after extra time.[1][2]
Road to the final
Match
The match was scoreless after 90 minutes but there had been numerous scoring chances on both sides. Cristiano Ronaldo was credited with having three good chances in the first half, the last of which was kept out with a one-handed save by Barcelona goalkeeper Pinto.[2] Barcelona did not have a shot on target in the first half but in the second they dominated possession and Iniesta and Pedro both forced saves by Real goalkeeper Casillas.[3] The game was won in the first period of extra time by the game's only goal, a header from Cristiano Ronaldo from a cross from teammate di María.[2]
The BBC gave credit to Real Madrid manager José Mourinho's defensive tactics for keeping Barcelona scoreless.[2] When Barcelona's Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, and Villa got the ball they were challenged by two Madrid players.[2] There were many fouls in the match, with the referee issuing eight yellow cards.[4] Real Madrid's di María was sent off in the 120th minute after receiving his second booking.[5]
Match details
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Assistant referees:
Fermín Martínez Ibáñez (Navarre)
Jesús Calvo Guadamuro (Andalusia)
Fourth official:
Fernando Teixeira Vitienes (Cantabria)
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Match rules:
- 90 minutes
- 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary
- Penalty shoot-out if scores still level
- Seven named substitutes
- Maximum of three substitutions
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Aftermath
Real Madrid players celebrated their victory that evening by riding a double-decker bus through Madrid where they were greeted by cheering crowds. While holding the trophy aloft, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos dropped the cup in front of the bus, where it was crushed.[6] Ramos later joked that he hadn't dropped the cup but that the cup jumped down to meet the fans.[7] The cup was replaced immediately with a spare version and placed in the Real Madrid museum.[6]
References
External links
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History
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