VALENCIA, Spain (AFP) - Real Madrid kept alive their hopes of a treble this season as they beat arch-rivals Barcelona 2-1 in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday.

A superb solo goal by Gareth Bale proved the difference after Barcelona's Marc Bartra had levelled the match at 1-1 midway through the second half, cancelling out Angel Di Maria's opener.

Barcelona star Neymar thought he had brought it back to 2-2 as the match drew to a close but his shot came back off the post and into the hands of grateful Real Madrid 'keeper Iker Casillas.

Real are still in the Champions League - they play holders Bayern Munich in the semi-final next week - and are second in La Liga, three points behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.