Benzema fires Real Madrid over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey

• Barcelona hosted Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at the Spotify Camp Nou
• Barcelona came into the match with a 1-0 aggregate lead after defeating Real at the Santiago Bernabeu
• A hat trick from inform Benzema and an opener from Vincius Jr sealed a whooping 4-0 victory over Barca on Wednesday night

Real Madrid made the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2014, thanks to a hat-trick from Karim Benzema and a goal from Vinicius Junior in a 4-0 Clasico victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou and a 4-1 aggregate victory.

Eder Militao’s own goal at the Bernabeu gave Barcelona a 1-0 lead going into Wednesday’s second leg, but Vinicius’ goal in first-half added time brought Madrid back into the game.

After the interval, Carlo Ancelotti’s men took control, with Benzema putting them ahead with a sublime finish before coolly converting from the spot after Vinicius was felled.

The reigning Ballon d’Or winner completed his hat trick late in the game to eliminate the 31-time champions and set up a showdown with Osasuna in the final.

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his third against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final at the Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday, April 5 2023. | PHOTO: Evening Standard |

Barca began brightly, with Sergi Roberto and Raphinha seeing early efforts blocked, though Ronald Araujo had to be alert at the other end to deny Vinicius.

In a usually high-octane match, Xavi was booked for dissent before Gavi and Vinicius were warned for a fracas in midfield. The visitors, on the other hand, stayed concentrated and tied the game just before halftime.

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After Courtois saved Robert Lewandowski’s shot, Madrid charged up the other end, and though Jules Kounde originally blocked Vinicius’ shot, it crept over the line to tie the game on aggregate.

Soon after the interval, Ancelotti’s team took the lead, with Luka Modric teeing up Benzema, who expertly stroked into the bottom-left corner.

Soon after, Madrid delivered a knockout blow, with Franck Kessie bringing Vinicius down in the area for a penalty, which Benzema calmly slotted into the bottom-right corner.

With 10 minutes remaining, Benzema completed his hat trick by delicately dinking over Marc-Andre ter Stegen to put his team into the final.