The best goal of his career to date? Probably not. The biggest? It’s certainly up there.
Gareth Bale has enjoyed a pretty good start to his Real Madrid career to date, but as there will always be for the most expensive players in the world (see Ronaldo, Cristiano a few years back), doubts still existed about his ability to do it in the big games before the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona last night.
The Welshman helped put those doubts to rest with an amazing winning goal at the Mestalla last night, an astonishing display of pace as he burned Marc Bartra on the left wing before cutting inside and toeing it past Steven Seagal Pinto in the Barcelona goal.
If you haven’t seen it yet, you really should, but to beat Bartra for pace despite the Barca defender nudging him as far over the touchline as he could was astonishing, as is evident in the picture below, with Gerardo Martino’s concern evident for all to see in the background.
Love this pic pic.twitter.com/Haqi8ThRvk
— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) April 16, 2014
Given the significance of the goal, it was celebrated wildly by Bale and his teammates afterwards, leading to some cracking pictures which we’re sure Bale wouldn’t mind putting on his mantelpiece if he can get a hold of them as mementoes of what will probably go down as the highlight of his career to date.
Pics via Getty
