Real Madrid 2-1 Osasuna: Rodrygo dazzles as Carlo Ancelotti’s side secure Copa Del Rey glory

Real Madrid beat Osasuna 2-1 to lift their first Copa del Rey title since 2014.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side made a dream start to the final, taking the lead after 109 seconds. Vinicius Junior did brilliantly down the left-hand side to cut the ball back to Rodrygo who smashed it home past Sergio Herrera.

Herrera pulled off a world-class save to deny Karim Benzema in the 24th minute. The French forward tried to bend his effort into the corner but Herrera got across superbly to pull off the save and keep the game at 1-0.

David Alaba came within inches of doubling Madrid’s advantage when his fiercely struck free-kick smashed the crossbar.

Osasuna equalised just before the hour mark courtesy of a wonderful strike from former Real Madrid man Lucas Torro. The ball fell to Torro on the edge of the box and he drilled it home first time past Thibaut Courtois and into the bottom corner.

Real Madrid restored their lead a little over 10 minutes later, Osasuna failed to clear their lines and a deflected shot fell to Rodrygo at the back post and he lifted his effort over Herrera.

The game was played at an unrelenting pace and Osasuna continued to push forward in search of a precious equaliser but Real Madrid were able to see out the game and were crowned champions.

TALKING POINT – REAL MADRID MAKE NO MISTAKE

Los Blancos’ record in the Copa del Rey in recent history has been patchy to say the least. We are used to seeing Real Madrid as an almost infallible team, particularly in European competition, but in the Copa they’ve been anything but, however they made no mistake and as a result lifted their 20th Copa del Rey title. It’s the first time they have won the competition since 2014 and only the third time they have won it in the 21st century. Osasuna, featuring in only their second final, pushed and pushed but they were unable to add their name to the trophy. Next up for Carlo Ancelotti’s side is the rather large matter of a UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester City. With the Copa del Rey conquered and the hopes of a La Liga title all but extinguished, all focus now turns to the Champions League as Los Blancos look to pull off what would be a terrific double.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – RODRYGO (REAL MADRID)

The 22-year-old is the match-winner for Real Madrid and put in another brilliant performance as he continues his meteoric rise in a Los Blancos jersey. He played three key passes, completed four of his six attempted dribbles and was a constant thorn in Osasuna’s side every single time he had the ball. He was in the right place for both goals, the second in particular came as a result of him being sharper than those around him to latch onto a deflection first and finish calmly past Herrera. An accomplished performance from a player who is just getting better and better.

PLAYER RATINGS

Real Madrid: Courtois 6, Carvajal 8, Militao 7, Alaba 7, Camavinga 7, Valverde 7, Tchouameni 7, Kroos 7, Rodrygo 9, Benzema 7, Vinicius Junior 8 Subs: Rudiger 6, Modric 6, Asensio N/A

Osasuna: Herrera 6, Cruz 6, Garcia 6, Aridane Hernandez 7, Moncayola 6, Torro 7, Gomez 6, Abde 6, Oroz 6, Pena 6, Budimir 6 Subs: Avila 6, Garci 6, Barja 6, Lumbreras N/A, Garcia N/A

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

2′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – What a start for Real Madrid! Vinicius Junior does brilliantly to go past his man on the left-hand side before cutting it back to Rodrygo who smashes home with the help of a deflection.

24′ WHAT A SAVE FROM HERRERA! – That is a world-class save from the Osasuna ‘keeper. Vinicius fires in a great pass to Rodrygo who lays it off or Benzema who tries to bend his effort into the corner but the ‘keeper dives across to keep the score at 1-0.

26′ OFF THE LINE BY CARVAJAL! – So close to the leveller for Osasuna! Abde latches onto the ball to go 1v1 and he dinks it over Courtois but Carvajal is there to hook it away.

32′ OFF THE CROSSBAR! – What a fantastic effort from David Alaba! His free kick from distance smacks the crossbar and Osasuna survive.

58′ GOAL – OSASUNA – Osasuna have equalised! It’s the former Real Madrid man Lucas Torro! The ball comes to him on the edge of the box and he thumps it first-time past Courtois and into the bottom corner.

71′ GOAL – REAL MADRID – Real Madrid restore their lead courtesy of Rodrygo! A deflection finds Rodrygo at the back post and he fires it past Herrera. Osasuna will be devastated to concede a goal of that calibre after failing to clear their lines.

KEY STAT

Vini Jr attempted 18 dribbles, the most of any player in a Copa del Rey final since at least 2007, beating the previous record held by Neymar in 2017.