Cristiano Ronaldo's extra special header earns Real spoils

The first 90 minutes had ended goalless, with Madrid on top in the opening period and Barca better after the break.

But despite the Catalans' superior possession in extra-time, Mourinho's men looked dangerous on the break and after Ronaldo had angled a low shot just wide, the Portuguese beat Jose Manuel Pinto with a brilliant header following Angel di Maria's pinpoint cross.

In this, the second of four Clasico meetings, with a two-legged semi-final to come in the Champions League starting next week, the Portuguese kept faith with Pepe in a three-man midfield shield alongside Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso. And it worked early on as Madrid pushed back Barcelona, appearing to surprise the Catalans with their dynamic start to the game.

Former Manchester United hero Ronaldo, playing up front as Mourinho opted to leave three strikers - Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema and Emmanuel Adebayor - on the bench, came close to giving his side the lead after 12 minutes when he beat Pinto from close range but saw Mascherano hack the ball off the line. Madrid full-back Alvaro Arbeloa was lucky to get away with a clear stamp on David Villa later in the half as things began to turn ugly.

The defender escaped without a caution, but both Pepe and Pedro found their way into the referee's book before the interval as the two teams continued to compete close to the edge.

In football terms, Madrid had the edge but Barca began the second half on the front foot, stepping up a gear following a disappointing opening 45 minutes.

Pedro fired just wide, Lionel Messi blasted over the bar and the Argentina forward was almost set up by Dani Alves as the Catalans found their rhythm. And they thought they had gone ahead after 68 minutes when Villa, who had not scored for 10 games, latched onto a Messi through-ball after the Argentine had brilliantly beaten three Madrid players, and slotted a low shot past Iker Casillas, but the assistant's flag was up and the Spain striker's effort was correctly ruled out.

Barca were dominant now and that looked ominous for Madrid but they weathered the storm and the score remained goalless after 90 minutes.The first period of extra-time was dominated by Barca, but the best chance fell to Ronaldo, who raced clear down the right flank and charged into the area, only to drive a low angled shot just wide of the target.

But the Catalans failed to heed the warning and five minutes later, they were behind.

Marcelo played a one-two with Di Maria, who then sent a deep, inviting cross into the area searching for Ronaldo, who rose majestically to power home a header at the far post.

Ronaldo should have wrapped it up two minutes before the end, but selfishly kept the ball in the area and his shot was eventually blocked.

Barcelona strived to take the game to penalties but Madrid held on to seal a famous win and end a spell of almost three years without a trophy.