Gareth Bale's stunning late goal to beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday night showcased the Welshman's speed, strength and finish. It was the most important goal in his career so far.
Gareth Bale's stunning late goal to beat Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday night showcased the Welshman's speed, strength and finish. It was the most important goal in his career so far.
The way Bale went yards off the byline to get around Barcelona defender Marc Bartra, before galloping into the box for and finishing between Jose Pinto's legs. That's 65 yards of pure Bale.
We've seen it before, whether at Southampton, Spurs, or with Wales. But to score such a winning goal in an El Clasico strengthens the claim that the 24-year-old has been a resounding success in Spain since his £86million move.
Speed: Gareth Bale beats Marc Bartra after receiving the ball near the halfway line
Great return: It was Bale's 20th goal this season for Real Madrid following his world-record move
Set up: Bale prepares to slip the ball between Jose Pinto's legs
Winner: Bale wheels off to celebrate in front of the fans at the Mestalla
It's his first winning goal in a Madrid shirt, dispelling the myth that he can't do it when it really matters, only when Carlo Ancelotti's side are rampant.
So far this season he has delivered without Cristiano Ronaldo – half of his 14 league goals have been scored when his Portuguese team-mate has not been in the side.
But Wednesday night's goal had more than a touch of CR7, giving Real what could be the first part of a treble this season.
Slipped in: Bale receives the ball inside his own half and knocks the ball past Bartra (right)
Detour: Bale goes yards off the pitch, into the technical area, comes back on and advances towards the area
Keeping his cool: Bale prepares to slide the ball past Pinto and into the net
Similar to his goal for Wales against Iceland in March, Bale picked the ball up on the halfway line, barged past the young Barcelona defender, cut into the area and fooled Pinto with a nutmeg. His side hung on to claim a 2-1 victory.
The Mestalla erupted, and this could go down as Bale's defining moment in his first season as the world's most expensive player.
He may never be able to score the winner at a World Cup, but Bale has the chance to make up for that in the Champions League. No Ronaldo? No bother. Watch out Bayern.
Read all about it: Spanish newspaper Marca had a step-by-step graphic of Bale's wonder goal
FIVE MORE UNSTOPPA-BALE GOALS
Southampton vs Coventry, August 9, 2006: Back in his early days at Southampton, Bale was already emerging as a dead ball specialist. His free-kick against Coventry, in off the post from a full 35 yards, was his second set piece goal in as many games in only his third and fourth games at professional level.
Wales vs Scotland, October 12, 2012: With Wales trailing 1-0, Bale converted an 81st minute penalty before nailing this winner in the 89th minute. He ran 20 yards through the Scottish half and produced another unstoppable left foot strike from outside the area as he was falling over.
Norwich vs Tottenham, January 30, 2013 (above): With Tottenham trailing Norwich 1-0, Bale began a mazy run from his own half, beating three Norwich defenders to fire a strike past Mark Bunn into the bottom left corner.
West Ham vs Tottenham, February 25, 2013: Bale had already scored one superb goal, but in the 90th minute Tottenham and West Ham were locked at 2-2 when he found the top right corner with an incredible swerving shot from 30 yards out.
Wales vs Iceland, March 5, 2014 (above): In a similar vein to Wednesday night Bale was wrestled off the pitch as he took the ball from his own half, rounded an Icelandic defender before blasting the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area.
HARRY YEATES
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