Real Zaragoza fought their way back from a goal and a man down to claim a 3-2 extra-time victory over Real Madrid in a thrilling King's Cup final at the Montjuic Olympic stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Wednesday.

Argentine midfielder Luciano Galletti grabbed the winner nine minutes before the end of extra time with a stinging shot from the fringe of the area to give Zaragoza their third Cup triumph in 10 years and put an end to Real's dream of a treble.

England captain David Beckham put Real ahead with a superbly struck free kick midway through the first half but Zaragoza fought back to take a 2-1 lead before the break thanks to a fine goal from Dani Garcia and a penalty from fellow striker David Villa.

Real equalised from a free kick by Roberto Carlos three minutes after the break and Zaragoza suffered a further setback when they were reduced to 10 men as Ruben Cani was sent off in the 67th minute.

But Real could not press home their numerical advantage and they too went a man down when Guti was sent off six minutes into the first period of extra time.

"The two teams put everything into it," said Real coach Carlos Queiroz. "We put our all our heart into this game and we are really disappointed because we desperately wanted to win."

Opposite number Victor Munoz praised his side for the way they played after the sending off and said their performance made them worthy winners of the Cup.

"The quality of our players showed through tonight," he said. "We beat both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the competition and that gives our victory even greater value."

Zaragoza made a brisk start at the Olympic stadium and gave Real an early wake-up call when defender Cani fired a sharp shot into the arms of Real goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez inside the first minute.

But Real gradually warmed to the task and with Zinedine Zidane and Santiago Solari to the fore they began to probe the Zaragoza defence. Luis Figo was also a constant threat with his jinking runs on the right.

After some sustained pressure Raul won his side a free kick four metres outside the area.

UNSTOPPABLE SHOT

Beckham stepped up and curled an unstoppable shot inside the post beyond the reach of Lainez to score his first goal from a free kick in three months.

The Real fans were still celebrating when Zaragoza hit back with a classy strike from Dani, the former Real Madrid and Barcelona striker cracking the ball into the top corner after controlling a Savio cross with his knee.

Beckham almost put Real ahead once more with a carbon copy of his first free kick five minutes before the break but this time he skimmed the post with his dipping shot.

Zaragoza rose to the occasion, though, and took the lead in the final minute of the first half when Villa scored from the penalty spot after he was felled by Guti as the two challenged for the ball five metres from the goal.

Real hit back three minutes into the second half as Roberto Carlos scored with a trademark rocket shot from 25 metres to make it 2-2 and Zaragoza were dealt a further blow when Cani was dismissed after a second booking.

Real were also reduced to 10 men when Guti received his marching orders in extra time but were only prevented from taking the lead by an outstanding save from Cesar Lainez who managed to stop a swerving effort from Zidane with his feet.

The teams continued to trade attacks as they went in search of the winning goal but it was substitute Galletti who settled the game with his deadly 111th minute strike shortly after Beckham had been robbed of the ball in midfield.