Frenchman Karim Benzema banged in a hat-trick as Real Madrid smashed perennial rivals and La Liga leaders Barcelona 4-0 to progress to the final of the Copa Del Rey on Wednesday.
Barcelona were aiming for a fourth consecutive win in the El Clasico this campaign and they looked set for the final having recorded a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the semis at the Santiago Bernabeu in March.
But after controlling the early moments of the second leg, they lost their midas touch and they lost 4-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid.
Brazilian attacker Vinicius Jr gave the away side the lead in first half stoppage time after a blistering counter attack and fortunes began to change in the Semi-final clash.
Benzema fired home a shot into the corner five minutes into the second 45 from a Luka Modric pass. Eight minutes after, Vinicius secured a penalty for Real Madrid which Karim Benzema rolled in beyond the reach of Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
With support all around the Nou Camp for Barcelona to wake up from their slumber, Barcelona tried to pose questions of their own but it was Real Madrid who were more convincing to increase their lead.
In the 80th minute of the clash, Vinicius Jr once again found Karim Benzema to complete a perfect night for the club legend.
Karim Benzema’s second hat-trick for Real Madrid in the space of 5 days
This hat-trick is coming days after he netted in similar fashion against Real Valladolid in the La Liga, the Frenchman is definitely in electric form.
The Spanish giants via that victory over Barcelona would battle against Osasuna in the Copa Del Rey final, Real Madrid would be licking their lips at the prospect of the trophy for the 20th time in history.
Los Blancos players were in ecstasy after full time and they showed their happiness with the victory at the Camp Nou in the dressing room.
Karim Benzema joined Ferenc Puskas to become the only two Real Madrid players to have netted a hat-trick at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona fans want Lionel Messi
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s name was chanted during the El Clasico clash in the midst of speculations that a return to the club might be in the offing for the Argentine.
The Argentine’s contract expires at the end of the campaign and it is becoming obvious that he might not extend his deal.
And the Culers made their feelings known on a possible reunion with their legend at the Camp Nou against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
During the second leg of the clash, Barcelona fans could be heard chanting the name of Lionel Messi around the 99,000 seater stadium.
Carlo Ancelotti termed it a “complete” performance from Real Madrid
Away from that, Real Madrid manager lauded the performances of his players as he labeled it a complete performance.
Carlo Ancelotti said: “It was a complete match. If you don’t make it complete, you can’t win 0-4 here.
“In the first half, we had difficulties but the first goal changes the dynamics of the whole match.
“It’s a game in which personality and experience is a very important aspect. We mixed the energy of Rodrygo, Valverde and Camavinga with the experience of Vini, Modric, Kroos. They played a spectacular game.”
For the Barcelona manager, Xavi stated that it would be hard for him and his players to sleep after the humiliation at the Nou Camp.
Xavi said: “Congratulations to Real Madrid, who had a great second half. If you show Madrid mercy, they don’t show you mercy.
“It will be hard to sleep, as I am from Barcelona and many of the squad are. But on Thursday, we think about Girona.”
That thumping victory at the Nou Camp was the first time Real Madrid defeated Barcelona by a 4-goal margin since 1995.
Match Highlights Below:
