Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-0 at Camp Nou on Wednesday to advance 4-1 overall and to the Copa del Rey final. Karim Benzema scored three goals in the victory.
After Carlo Ancelotti’s team produced an incredible comeback from their one-goal semi-final first leg disadvantage, Vinicius Junior scored shortly before halftime, and Benzema added a second-half hat trick.
Benzema humiliated Barcelona in front of over 95,000 furious supporters on a sad night for coach Xavi Hernandez after scoring three goals against Real Valladolid at the weekend in La Liga.
Los Blancos won this match to go to the Copa final for the first time since 2014, where they will play Osasuna. Los Blancos currently trail their arch-rivals by 12 points in La Liga and were defeated by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in January.
Madrid eliminated the record-breaking 31-time cup champions with a powerful display on a tense night in Barcelona, when they also put an end to a demoralizing run of three straight Clasico losses.
Eder Militao’s own goal cost Ancelotti’s squad the match in the first leg despite their dominance. In La Liga versus Barcelona in March, the Catalans pulled off a last-second victory.
When Los Blancos looked to overcome their slim deficit, Ancelotti began an offensive lineup with Toni Kroos as the deepest midfielder and Eduardo Camavinga at left-back.
Without Ousmane Dembele, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, or Andreas Christensen, Xavi kept to the same strategy that has helped Barcelona defeat Madrid in recent weeks, starting four midfielders, including Gavi.
Both sides were eager to go to the championship game and were fighting tooth and nail to avoid being eliminated by the other squad as the game got underway.
In the opening minutes, David Alaba vigorously pleaded for a penalty after blocking Gavi’s cross with his arm while keeping his foot down on the ground for balance.
Sergi Roberto’s shot was stopped by the Austrian defender as Vinicius and Ronald Araujo began their customary running duel at the other end.
When tempers flared, Barcelona coach Xavi received a booking after objecting to a foul on Franck Kessie.
Lionel Messi’s name was being sung by thousands of Barcelona supporters in the 10th minute amid rumors that he would leave Paris Saint-Germain, and they would have adored some of the Argentinean’s magic.
As Vinicius and Gavi started fighting, referee Juan Martinez Munuera arrived quickly to attempt to diffuse the situation. Both players were given yellow cards.
– LETHAL MADRID –
In stoppage time of the first half, Los Blancos seized the lead after showcasing their skill on the counterattack.
About 20 seconds after Thibaut Courtois’ excellent save on Robert Lewandowski, Vinicius scored at the opposite end.
Jules Kounde made his best effort to clear the goal line, but Rodrygo cut the ball back to the striker who managed to squeeze a shot home. While Benzema was there to make sure, Vinicius’s attempt had already gone too far.
As Luka Modric effortlessly slid past Sergi Roberto, the French striker was able to seize the opportunity and score lethally from the outside of the box in a sea of open space.
At the hour mark, Benzema scored his second goal from the penalty spot, sending Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way after Kessie carelessly fouled Vinicius.
Barcelona tried to mount a comeback with the help of Ansu Fati, but they were unable.
One-way traffic ensued as Ter Stegen denied Marco Asensio and Benzema finished off his hat-trick after a beautiful move and feed from Vinicius.
Madrid have won the trophy 19 times, whereas their opponents, Osasuna, have never done so. After defeating Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, Osasuna advanced to their second final.
