Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Barcelona 4-0 at the Camp Nou to reach the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday and go 4-1 on aggregate.
Vinicius Junior opened the scoring just before the break as Carlo Ancelotti’s side made a remarkable comeback from a one-goal semi-final first leg deficit, with Benzema adding a treble in the second half.
After securing three points against Real Valladolid in La Liga at the weekend, Benzema repeated the move to humiliate Barcelona in a painful night for coach Xavi Hernandez in front of around 95,000 distraught fans.
Los Blancos trail their arch-rivals in La Liga by 12 points and lost to Barca in the Spanish Super Cup final in January, but won here to reach the Copa final for the first time since 2014, where they face Osasuna. Will be from.
Madrid snapped the record 31-time cup winners with a strong performance on a pointed night at Barcelona, where they also ended a dismal run of three consecutive Clasico defeats.
Ancelotti’s team dominated the first leg, but lost 1–0 after an own goal from Eder Militão, and suffered a last-gasp blow in La Liga against Barcelona in March, when the Catalans won a late victory. Did.
Ancelotti started the attacking side with Toni Kroos as the deepest midfielder and Eduardo Camavinga on the left as Los Blancos looked to overturn their narrow deficit.
Xavi, without Ousmane Dembele, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen, stuck to the same formula that has served Barca well against Madrid in recent months, with four midfielders including Gavi, who plays mainly on the left. Let’s start with the wing.
The game began at a furious pace and intensity, with both teams eager to reach the final but utterly desperate not to lose to the other.
Barcelona appealed for a penalty in the first few minutes as David Alaba blocked Gavi’s cross with his hand, but it was planted on the floor for balance.
The Austrian defender blocked Sergi Roberto’s effort while Vinicius and Ronald Araujo resumed their usual running battles at the other end.
Anger boiled over as Barca coach Xavi was booked for protesting a foul on Frank Casey.
Thousands of Barcelona fans chanted Lionel Messi’s name in the 10th minute amid speculation he could leave Paris Saint-Germain, and they would love some Argentine magic.
Vinicius and Gavi were both shown yellow cards as they clashed, with referee Juan Martinez Munuera trying to calm things down.
– Deadly Madrid –
Los Blancos took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half, when they showed their prowess on the counter-attack.
Thibaut Courtois made a fine save to deny Robert Lewandowski and just 20 seconds later Vinicius struck at the other end.
Rodrigo cut the ball forward, who fired a shot home despite Jules Counde’s best effort at a goal-line clearance. Benzema was on for sure, but Vinicius’ effort had already crossed the border.
The French forward was soon able to pounce after Luka Modric easily headed away from Sergi Roberto, finishing lethally from the edge of the box in an ocean of space.
Benzema got his second from the penalty spot before the hour mark, sending Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way after Casey clumsily fouled Vinicius.
Xavi threw at Ansu Fati to try his way back, but Barcelona could find no way.
It was one-way traffic as ter Stegen denied Marco Asensio and then Benzema completed his hat-trick with a fine finish after a fine dribble and pass by Vinicius.
Madrid have lifted the trophy on 19 occasions, while their opponents Osasuna have never won it, reaching their second final after beating Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday.
read all Latest sports newscheck outorange cap And purple cap holder details here
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)