Karim Benzema and Real Madrid enjoyed a hugely memorable game at the Camp Nou as the visitors demolished their fierce rivals Barcelona 4-0, booking a place in the Copa del Rey final, with the Frenchman bagging a hat-trick.
After losing the first-leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu 1-0, Los Merengues were determined not to lose out to the Catalan side again.
In an atmospheric arena in Barcelona, the match began in great spirits for the hosts, as they were confident of overcoming the defending European champions once more this term.
Fans were even in the mood to look to the future, chanting Lionel Messi’s name in the 10th minute of play, to signify to Joan Laporta that they want the club to bring the Argentine back in 2023, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.
Yet, on the cusp of half-time that fervor was silence by Vinicius Jr, who continued his excellent domestic campaign with a fine goal.
Barcelona were furious as they felt they should have been given a penalty for handball in the opening exchanges of the first-half.
Karim Benzema thought he had been awarded the opening goal, as he prodded the ball forward after a comedic goal-mouth melee, however Vinicius Jr was adjudged to have taken the vital touch.
What followed will be hugely disappointing for Barcelona as they simply collapsed in the face of Real Madrid pressure.
There was no regrouping after the opener, even though the tie was level at 1-1.
Karim Benzema then brought his own unique style of brilliance to make it 2-0.
The French forward enjoyed some fantastic interplay with Luka Modric before placing the ball casually into the bottom corner of the net.
Los Blancos were then awarded a penalty in the 58th minute, which Benzema converted emphatically, putting him on the hunt for a hat-trick.
In truth, this defensive collapse had cost the Catalan side the tie, and it came as no surprise when the conceded a fourth with just eight minutes left to play.
Marco Asensio and Benzema had tested the gloves of Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the latter stages of the half, but the milestone goal finally came for Benzema when he hit a first-time shot beyond the German, making it 4-1 on aggregate.
This was an iconic moment for the French forward as he became the first Real Madrid player to score a hat-trick against Los Cules since Ferenc Puskas in 1962/63. The 5-1 on that day was also Real Madrid’s biggest win at the Camp Nou, with Wednesday’s 4-0 being the second.
It was a brilliant counter-attack that saw Vinicius Jr claim an assist, and highlighted the defensive deficiencies that plagued the hosts all night long.
Real Madrid can now prepare for a domestic final, and hope to claw back the deficit they face at the top of the Spanish LaLiga Santander table.
Source: Oman News Agency