Real Madrid performed stunningly to secure placing them in the Copa del Rey championship final with a 4-0 win over arch-rivals Barcelona on Wednesday. Karim Benzema was the hero for the visitors, scoring a hat-trick to ensure they overturned the 1-0 deficit from the first leg and progressed to the final with a 4-1 aggregate victory.
It was a complete performance from Real Madrid, who looked like the more dangerous side throughout the match. Both teams had opportunities to score in the close first half but could not do so. However, just before half-time, Vinicius Junior broke the deadlock with a lightning counter-attack, finishing clinically past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to give Real Madrid the lead.
The second half saw Real Madrid take control of the match, with Benzema scoring two quickfire goals to put the visitors in complete control. The first was a clinical finish from a Luka Modric pass, while the second was a penalty after Vinicius was fouled in the area.
With the Nou Camp crowd jeering their team, Barcelona tried to respond but could not break down a stubborn Real Madrid defence. In the 80th minute, Benzema finished his hat-trick, bringing the score to move Vinicius started to seal a memorable victory for Real Madrid.
It was Benzema’s second hat-trick in a matter of days, having also scored three in Real Madrid’s 6-0 thrashing of Real Valladolid at the weekend. Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti was praised for his side’s performance, describing it as a complete match. “If you don’t make it complete, you can’t win 0-4 here,” Ancelotti said. “It’s a game in which personality and experience is an essential aspect.
We mixed the energy of Rodrygo, Valverde, and Camavinga with the experience of Vini, Modric, and Kroos. They played a spectacular game.” Barcelona, the evening could have been better because they had been hoping to make it six wins in a row against Real Madrid this season, but their rivals outplayed them on the night.
The defeat will be a bitter pill for Barcelona, who are currently top of La Liga. Real Madrid’s victory was a massive boost as they look to end the season with some silverware.
They will face Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on May 6 and have a good chance of bringing home the Cup a 20th time. Real Madrid will need Benzema to maintain his form if they are to challenge for the league title and progress in the Champions League. They are currently second in La Liga, twelve points behind Barcelona. Real Madrid will face Chelsea in the champions league Next week .