Atletico stun Real to win their 10th King’s Cup

Reuters - Atletico Madrid stunned city rivals Real to win their 10th King’s Cup when Miranda’s extra-time header secured a 2-1 comeback win in an action-packed and ill-tempered clash at the Bernabeu on Friday in which Real coach Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo were both sent off.

Atletico’s jubilant fans spilled onto the streets of the Spanish capital to celebrate their first victory over their bitter city rivals in 14 years, while the Real faithful were left to reflect on a season without major silverware and the possible departure of Mourinho at the end of the campaign.

Ronaldo, who was shown a straight red card after he kicked out at Atletico captain Gabi in the second half of extra time, apparently catching him in the face, nodded Real ahead in the 14th minute.

Diego Costa levelled 10 minutes before the break and after Mourinho was dismissed for furiously protesting a referee’s decision with around 15 minutes of regular time left Miranda glanced a 99th-minute header past Diego Lopez to secure a first win against Real since 1999.

The match, in which Real hit the post three times, descended into chaos near the end when a mass brawl between substitutes and technical staff erupted on the side of the pitch as Ronaldo received his marching orders.

Play was further interrupted moments later when Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was hit by an object thrown from the crowd and Gabi was shown a second yellow card in the dying seconds for time wasting.

After five minutes of nerve-wrenching extra time, the referee finally blew the whistle, sending the red and white-clad Atletico fans into raptures while the white half of Real’s own stadium was left in mute shock.

The King’s Cup does not carry the same prestige as La Liga or a European title but the Atletico fans’ euphoria also reflected the fact that they had got the better of their city neighbours after more than a decade of disappointment.

“This team has worked extremely hard for this match,” Gabi told Spanish television as his team mates celebrated wildly and showered each other with champagne nearby.

“This victory tastes of glory and is for all those who have suffered for 14 years,” he added.