Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid: Benzema hat-trick floors Barca as “Los Blancos” reach final of Copa del Rey

Karim Benzema, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Before going to Camp Nou, Real Madrid were trailing 0-1 courtesy to a first leg loss inflicted by Barcelona in Santiago Bernabeu. Almost everyone started believing that Barcelona has reached the finals of Copa del Rey, but Carlo Ancelotti’s team had some other plans as they thrashed the Catalan Club in their own den 4-0, owing to a hattrick from French striker Karim Benzema and a swift finish from Brazilian prodigy Vinicius.

Tactical mastermind at it again

Xavi had made few changes to his starting eleven, from the team which faced Elche on Saturday. Balde started on the left wing back position and Eric Garcia was on the bench. In the midfield seasoned veteran and skipper Busquets was flanked by Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie, whose last minute clutch goal defeated Real Madrid in the league. In the front, Polish striker Lewandowski was paired up by the prodigal Gavi and Brazilian wizard Raphinha, with Ansu and Ferran on the bench.

Similarly, for the “Los Blancos”, it was Benzema who starred in the night, but he was equally supported by his strike partners Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. It was the Madrid midfield who kept the ball in possession, comprising seasoned veterans Kroos, Modric and Valverde. Although their defence looked bleak at times, but goalie Courtois saved their blushes every time they were under attack from Barcelona strikers.

Benzema scores consecutive hat trick for Madrid

Benzema has always been a superstar for Real Madrid. He is always present whenever his team requires and he has never failed to impress the critics. But, last night was special as it was a comeback from Real, as the comeback kings once again proved why they are called the “kings of comeback”.

Benzema could have scored his fourth, but it was Vinicius who started the rampage, scoring just before half time. Barcelona had a lovely ball into the penalty box, which could have been slotted home by any of the strikers Barca fielded, but Camavinga pushed the ball backwards, towards the Real midfield, where Kroos and Modric were waiting to pry on the ball.

They passed the ball to the Brazilian Vinicius, who had the opportunity to assist Benzema on the goal, but the cunning Frenchman passed the ball back to Vini Jr, who netted the goal, thus equalizing the contest right before the second half.

Into the second half, it was all Benzema as he demolished the hearts of all the Catalans present there, scoring inch-perfect goals with some exquisite finish and eye-catching dribbles.

Just five minutes into the second half, Real scored one more, having a 2 goal cushion as the evergreen 37-year old Luka Modric assisted his favorite striker Benzema, who slotted home past Ter Stegen, with the Barcelona defense looking absolutely hapless in that situation.

Benzema ends 60-year old drought with hat trick

Scoring 2 goals was not enough for Real as they continued their onslaught even after leading 2-1 on the aggregate. In the 57th minute, the last Clasico hero Kessie stepped on Vinicius’s foot, leading to the referee awarding them a penalty.

Benzema fired from the spot, sending Ter Stegen to the wrong direction, ensuring a proper comeback for Real and guiding them into the finals, where Osasuna awaits them.

When everyone thought maybe Real Madrid have spared them a thought and have stopped their onslaught, right then Benzema netted his third of the night, with a sumptuous assist from Vinicius, inflicting further pain for the Culers. He entered the record books as he became the second Real player to score a hattrick against Barcelona in Camp Nou, after Ferenc Puskas in 1963.

Lacking in intent

Barcelona seemed to lack in their normal intent with which they play in the league, as they looked sloppy while defending. Their lack of discipline and physicality in the midfield allowed Real Madrid to proceed into their half.

Although both of the teams were equally dominant in possession in the starting minutes, but it was Real who edged them, outscoring their bitter rivals, leaving them with no chance to force a late comeback. Looking on the positive side of the game, Barcelona need to focus completely on the League now, where they can still win with a gap of 12 points comforting them.

Real will face Osasuna in the finals of Copa del Rey, which will be held in a month’s time, till then both teams will turn their focus on the League.