Copa del Rey final: Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2 in pictures - Gareth Bale proves his worth to keep Real on for the treble

Bale hit his first match-winning goal in the Copa del Rey success over rivals Barcelona

Gareth Bale celebrates scoring the winning goal for Real Madrid int he 2-1 Copa del Rey final victory over Barcelona (Getty Images)

Gareth Bale scored the most important goal of his career to win the Copa del Rey for Real Madrid, netting the decisive goal against fierce rivals Barcelona in the final at the Mestalla.

The most expensive player in the world raced from the halfway line down the left wing before poking the ball past Jose Manuel Pinto to restore Madrid's lead with five minutes remaining, after Marc Bartra had cancelled out Angel Di Maria's first-half opener.

The Welshman had produced his best performance in his third game against Barcelona but had failed to find the net, but his guile paid off as his stunning late strike gave Madrid their 19th Copa del Rey, and the first trophy under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

View the best pictures from the Copa del Rey final below:

Real then flew back immediately to the Spanish capital to celebrate their success with an open-top bus parade in front of thousands of their fans, who will be desperate for the side to push on and claim the La Liga title and a tenth Champions League crown.

Read More: Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2 match report
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