http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=313675&cc=4716
Ronaldo heads Real to victory
CR's extra-time header saw Real Madrid edge out fierce rivals Barcelona in the 2nd 'Clasico' in 4 days 2 win the Copa del Rey & seal their 1st piece of silverware under Jose Mourinho.
The 1st 90 minutes had ended goalless, with Madrid on top in the opening period & Barca better aft the break.
But despite the Catalans' superior possession in extra-time, Mourinho's men looked dangerous on the break & aft Ronaldo had angled a low shot just wide, the Portuguese beat Jose Manuel Pinto with a brilliant header following Angel di Maria's pinpoint cross.
Pinto started in goal instead of Victor Valdes, as he had done all the way thru the competition.
Meanwhile, Barca captain Carles Puyol was deemed unfit 2 start following his injury in Saturday night's 1-1 draw @ Madrid in the Primera Division, so Javier Mascherano slotted in alongside Gerard Pique in the centre of defence.
Mourinho restored Mesut Ozil 2 his side aft the Germany playmaker began Saturday's draw on the bench.
In tis, the 2nd of 4 Clasico meetings, with a 2-legged semi-final 2 come in the Champions League starting next week, the Portuguese kept faith with Pepe in a 3-man midfield shield alongside Sami Khedira & Xabi Alonso.
And it worked early on as Madrid pushed back Barcelona, appearing 2 surprise the Catalans with their dynamic start 2 the game.
Ronaldo, playing up front as Mourinho opted 2 leave 3 strikers - Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema & Emmanuel Adebayor - on the bench, came close 2 giving his side the lead aft 12 minutes when he beat Pinto fr close range but saw Mascherano hack the ball off the line.
Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa was lucky 2 get away with a clear stamp on David Villa later in the half as things began 2 turn ugly.
The defender escaped without a caution, but both Pepe & Pedro found their way in2 the referee's book b4 the interval as the 2 teams continued 2 compete close 2 the edge.
But in football terms, Madrid had the edge.
Pinto saved well fr Ronaldo 10 minutes b4 the interval, but the stand-in keeper was badly-positioned just b4 the break & was lucky 2 see Pepe's header rebound off the post.
But Barca began the 2nd half on the front foot, stepping up a gear following a disappointing opening 45 minutes.
Pedro fired just wide, Lionel Messi blasted over the bar & the Argentina 4ward was almost set up by Dani Alves as the Catalans found their rhythm.
And they thought they had gone ahead aft 68 minutes when Villa, who had not scored for 10 games, latched on2 a Messi thru-ball aft the Argentinian had brilliantly beaten 3 Madrid players, & slotted a low shot past Iker Casillas, but the assistant's flag was up & the Spain striker's effort was correctly ruled out.
Nevertheless, Barca were dominant now & tat looked ominous 4 Madrid.
Casillas made 2 fine saves within a minute 2 deny Messi & then Pedro, while the Argentinian was stopped in his tracks as he looked 2 waltz thru the Madrid defence.
But Madrid weathered the storm & the score remained goalless aft 90 mins.
The 1st period of extra-time was dominated by Barca, but the best chance fell 2 Ronaldo, who raced clear down the right flank & charged in2 the area, only 2 drive a low angled shot just wide of the target.
But the Catalans failed 2 heed the warning & 5 mins later, they were behind.
Marcelo played a 1-2 with Di Maria, who then sent a deep, inviting cross in2 the area searching 4 Ronaldo, who rose majestically 2 power home a header @ the far post.
Ronaldo should hv wrapped it up 2 mins b4 the end, but selfishly kept the ball in the area & his shot was eventually blocked.
But Madrid held on 2 seal a famous win & end a spell of almost 3 years without a trophy. The only sour note 4 Mourinho's men was Di Maria's late dismissal aft picking up a 2nd yellow card 4 a foul on Messi.