Real Madrid Beat Barcelona to Lift Spanish Super Cup; Errors Cost Barca the Title [PHOTOS]

Real Madrid FC lifted Spanish Super Cup after four years by defeating their arch rivals Barcelona FC 2-1 at their home ground Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night. Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo struck a goal apiece to help the team win the title.

The 2-1 win meant the tie finished 4-4 on aggregate, as Barcelona won the last leg 3-2 at Nou Camp, but it was Real Madrid's day as they lifted the cup on the away goals rule.

Defensive errors let Barcelona down on Wednesday night.

Higuain sent a long ball from Pepe into the net of Victor Valdes after defender Javier Mascherano failed to clear it. As if that's not enough, defender Gerard Pique was cleared by Ronaldo with an accurate back-heel trick, and the shot that followed sent the ball into the net.

Barca received a huge setback in the 28th minute after Adriano was sent off after being awarded a straight red card for a reckless foul on Ronaldo.

However, Lionel Messi gave a ray of hope for Barcelona by scoring a spectacular goal from a 35-yard free-kick just before half time.

Barcelona played for more than an hour with 10 men but the match was exciting with both the teams playing attacking game. Pedro almost found an equiliser but Iker Casillas made a brilliant save. Barcelona goalkeeper Valdes also saved good shots from Sami Khedira and Higuain.

The loss on Wednesday night meant Barcelona failed to win the Spanish Super Cup for the fourth consecutive year. The players think the two errors in the first half cost them the title but they are happy with the way played in the second half.

[Real Madrid Vs Barcelona Photos] 

Here is what the Barca players said to Barcelona official site after the loss to Real Madrid:

"The red card really hurt us, but despite playing with 10 men we played a good game of football and we created enough chances to win the title," said Xavi Hernández.

Sergio Busquets: "I'm upset that we were better both in the away leg and in the return leg. Despite playing with 10 players, we had more chances to score. Madrid took advantage of two counter attacks, that's where they can hurt you, and they scored two goals. I'm very proud of my team-mates, when things aren't going well, like today, they always go forward but it wasn't meant to be despite the fact that we created chances."

Pique: "They were very strong, they scored two goals and we went down to 10 men. But we played a fantastic second half. We have to improve how we start matches, but playing like we did with 10 men in this stadium is commendable. Madrid won the title with the 20 minutes of good play they had in the away and return leg, I congratulate them."

Pedro: "They started off very strong and they took the lead, it's very difficult to fight back at this stadium especially if you're playing a man down. We fought and we created chances, but it wasn't meant to be."

Iniesta: "The two goals really and the red card really hurt us. It's not easy to play with 10 men here, but either side could have won the title tonight. We should never talk about personal errors, it's always about the collective. You pay dearly for errors when you play against a team that are so good on the counter like Madrid. It's not easy to lose a match, but it's true that the second half, playing with 10 men, was ours. I congratulate Real Madrid for the title, but we aren't ever going to give up."

[Real Madrid Vs Barcelona Photos]