http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOPJnhQ8Rpg
FC Barcelona has won the Copa del Rey title for
the first time in 11 years after a 4-1 deserved victory against
Athletic Bilbao.
Bilbao grabbed the lead when its midfielder Gaizka Toquero
headed in from a corner after nine minutes at Valencia's Mestalla
stadium on Wednesday night.
Barcelona's Yaya Toure, however, equalized the score with a great
solo goal by beating two defenders and firing in a 25-yard (22.8
meter) shot.
Pep Guardiola's men dominated the game after the interval with
three goals from Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Xavi Hernandez in 10
minutes in order to hoist the cup for the first time since
1998.
Messi found the net after goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz parried a shot,
Krkic collected a defense-splitting pass from Messi and curled in a
shot off the post, and Xavi made it 4-1 with a free kick.
"We knew that the Basques would be physical, that they were very
strong," coach Pep Guardiola said. "Above all we knew that we were
going to be facing a very aggressive team so it was important to
get the ball out quick, to avoid contact and not let them suffocate
us."
"It's not a question of having liberated ourselves," he added. "We
played a good game. It's a great day."
"The team is on course for something important," he further
explained. "It's their football."
The Catalans are also on course to win the League and the European
Champions League. They meet Manchester United in the Champions
League final on May 27 and need one point from three games to grab
the domestic league championship.