Real Madrid’s Benzema Scores Hat-trick at Camp Nou to Propel RMA into Copa del Rey Finals

Real Madrid delivered a stunning performance at the Camp Nou as they thrashed arch-rivals and league leaders Barcelona 4-0 to reach the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday. After edging a 1-0 win in the first leg of the semi-final in Madrid last month, Barca looked set for the final. However, they fell apart in unlikely fashion to lose 4-1 on aggregate after dominating the early stages of the second leg.
 
Real Madrid took the lead just before half-time following a lightning counter-attack. Vinicius Jr broke forward and exchanged passes with Karim Benzema before his shot crept over the line despite the efforts of defender Ronald Araujo to keep it out. The semi-final was turned on its head five minutes into the second half when Benzema stroked a shot into the corner from a Luka Modric pass.
 
Eight minutes later, Vinicius was fouled in the area and Benzema thumped his penalty past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. With jeers echoing around the Nou Camp, Barcelona tried to respond, but it was Real Madrid who looked the more likely to add to their tally with Benzema unstoppable. In the 80th minute, he was again set up by Vinicius to complete his second hat-trick in a matter of days, having also hit a treble in the 6-0 destruction of Real Valladolid.
 
Real Madrid will face Osasuna in the final, after they beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on aggregate on Tuesday. Real will fancy their chances of winning the trophy for a 20th time. After suffering so much at the hands of Barcelona this season, this was a spectacular riposte by Carlo Ancelotti’s side as Real beat Barcelona by at least a four-goal margin for the first time since 1995.
 
Real Madrid are a distant second behind Barca in La Liga, having lost 2-1 to their bitter rival last month. However, while the title may be gone, they regained some bragging rights in extraordinary fashion. There was no hint of what was to come on Wednesday as Barcelona looked in the mood to kill the tie, with Thibaut Courtois thwarting the hosts on a number of occasions.
 
It was from one Courtois save to deny Robert Lewandowski that the tie turned in an instant. Real broke forward at pace and Vinicius exchanged passes with Benzema before his shot crept over the line despite the efforts of defender Ronald Araujo to keep it out. Five minutes after the break, Modric glided in from the right and rolled a pass to Benzema to send a precise finish into the corner.
 
Xavi’s Barcelona were in tatters minutes later when Vinicius was fouled, and Benzema exacted punishment. Tempers flared with players from both sides getting involved in skirmishes, but Benzema had the last laugh to complete a magical night for Real.
 
The victory was a testament to Real Madrid’s resilience, and Benzema was the star of the show. The French striker scored a hat-trick, including a penalty, to power his side to the final. Real Madrid fans will hope that this is a sign of things to come, and that their team can put up a strong fight in the La Liga and the Champions League.
 
The defeat was a huge blow to Barcelona’s aspirations. The team had been in good form coming into the game, and many expected them to win. However, their performance was disappointing, and they will need to regroup quickly if they are to stay on top of the La Liga table.
 
In the end, it was a night that Real Madrid fans will never forget. They dominated their arch-rivals and secured a place in the final of the Copa del Rey