Karim Benzema's historic hat-trick against Barcelona sends Real Madrid into Copa del Rey final

By India Today Sports DeskKarim Benzema scored a historic hat-trick against Barcelona at Camp Nou to power Real Madrid into the Copa del Rey final.

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Benzema on April 5 became the first Real Madrid player to score a hat-trick in El Clasico at the home of Barcelona since Ferenc Puskas in 1963.

Barcelona were bidding for a fourth consecutive El Clasico win this season, with an eye on the Copa del Rey final, having a 1-0 lead in the first leg of the semi-final. However, Barcelona fell apart as they lost to Real Madrid 4-1 on aggregate.

Barcelona did well to dominate the early stages of the second leg before Vinicius Jr broke the deadlock for Real Madrid. The Brazilian winger put Real Madrid in front by scoring in the dying minutes of the first-half.

Real Madrid built on the momentum as Benzema put one into the corner five minutes after the start of the second-half after receiving a pass from Luka Modric. Soon, Vinicius was fouled in the area and Benzema converted the 58th minute penalty to extend Real Madrid’s lead to 3-0.

Barcelona tried to counter-attack but Real Madrid were too much for them to handle and Benzema was unstoppable. In the 82th minute, Benzema was again set up by Vinicius, helping the French international to complete his hat-trick. Benzema’s hat-trick came just days after he scored a hat-trick in Madrid’s 6-0 humbling of Real Valladolid.

Real Madrid will face Osasuna as they eye to win the Copa del Rey for the 20th time. Osasuna reached the final after beating Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on aggregate.

“It was a complete match. If you don’t make it complete, you can’t win 0-4 here,” Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said after the win. “In the first half we had difficulties but the first goal changes the dynamics of the whole match.”