Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid: Karim Benzema hat-trick in El Clasico sends Real into Copa del Rey final

Karim Benzema hit a hat-trick as Real Madrid secured a sensational 4-0 victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp to turn a heavyweight semi-final tie around and book a place in the Copa del Rey final.

Los Blancos were trailing 1-0 from the first leg at the Bernabeu but silenced the Catalan home crowd on the stroke of half time when Benzema cut the ball back for Vinicius Junior to stab in the opener via a deflection.

It arrived just seconds after Robert Lewandowski had a brilliant snapshot well saved by Thibaut Courtois as a fiery but low-key first period burst into life right at the death.

Real moved up a gear following the restart and Benzema put the visitors ahead on aggregate on 50 minutes when he steered a lovely finish into the bottom corner from Luka Modric’s pass.

The French striker then doubled his tally for the evening with a cool spot kick just shy of the hour after Franck Kessie had tripped Vinicius Jr.

Barca toiled throughout the second period and Benzema rubbed salt in their wounds when he dinked home his hat-trick to clinch a 4-1 success on aggregate nine minutes from time.

The result means Carlo Ancelotti’s side have qualified for their first Copa del Rey final since 2014 and will meet Osasuna in a showdown for the trophy on May 6.

Next up, Real Madrid are at home to Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday evening while Barcelona host Girona on Monday night.

Talking point

Real Madrid find cup Mojo to stun the Camp Nou. Carlo Ancelotti had suggested it was his team’s time to produce the goods following some narrow defeats in the recent encounters with the Catalan giants – and how right he was as they emphatically ended a run of three El Clasico defeats on the spin.

Real were ruthless in a one-sided second half as they once again showed their cup pedigree. Los Blancos will be heavy favourites to lift the cup against Osasuna now as they denied Barca the chance of the domestic double. Xavi’s side remain 12 points clear of their rivals at the top of La Liga, but there will be a sense of what might have been, particularly if Real continue to thrive on the Champions League stage, with the holders bidding for a record-extending 15th European crown in the competition.

Player of the match

Karim Benzema (Real Madrid). The France international once again demonstrated he is the man for the big occasion as he continues to belie his veteran years with match winning antics. The 35-year-old can appear to be on the periphery of the proceedings but when he burst into life it can often be devastating, which was the case here courtesy of three goals and an assist.

Player Ratings

BARCA: Ter Stegen 6, Kounde 6, Balde 6, Alonso 5, Araujo 5, Kessie 6, Busquets 5, Roberto 6, Raphinha 5, Gavi 6, Lewandowski 6. Subs: Fati 6, Garcia 6, Torres 6.

REAL: Courtois 7, Carvajal 7, Camavinga 8, Alaba 7, Militao 8, Kroos 8, Modric 8, Valverde 7, Rodrygo 7, Vinicius Jr 9, Benzema 9. Subs: Asensio 6, Tchouameni n/a, Ceballos n/a, Nacho n/a.

Match Highlights

45’ BARCELONA CHANCE! Lewandowski meets a low cross with a crisp strike but Courtois does brilliantly to push it to safety.

45+1’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 0-1 Real Madrid – (It is 1-1 on aggregate). Real are able to break at speed followng that Courtois save. Vinicius Jr exchanges passes with Benzema from the right side of the area and sees his shot creep in via Kounde on the line. All square in the tie!

50’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 0-2 Real Madrid – (Real lead 2-1 on aggregate). Modric drives in from the right flank and lays it across for Benzema who guides a low shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner.

58’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 0-3 Real Madrid – (Real lead 3-1 on aggregate). Benzema doubles his tally for the night with a clinical spot kick that sends ter Stegen the wrong way. The penalty was awarded after Kessie tripped Vinicius Jr.

81’ – GOAL! – Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid – (Real lead 4-1 on aggregate). It’s the hat-trick! Benzema clips a lovely finish beyond the keeper after a powerful run and pass from Vinicius Jr.

Key Stats

After 43 Clasico appearances in all competitions, Karim Benzema scored his first hat-trick against Barcelona.

Real Madrid have only lost one of their last six games at the Camp Nou in all competitions (W3 D2).