Real Madrid thrashed El Clasico rivals FC Barcelona 4-0 to secure their spot in the Copa del Rey final on Wednesday night.
Copa del Rey
Result: FC Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid (Real won 1-4 on aggregate)
Date: 05 April 2023
Venue: Camp Nou
Raphinha, Alejandro Balde, Frank Kessie and Sergio Busquets returned for the Catalan giants after the win over Elche, as Eric Gacia, Jordi Alba, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres dropped to the bench.
Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti brought Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Federico Valverde back into the side after their thrashing of Real Valladolid.
Barcelona carved out the first opening inside ten minutes when Gavi did well to tee up Sergi Robrto in the box, but his goal-bound strike was blocked by Los Blancos defender David Alaba.
There was a bit of hand bangs midway through the first half, with Vinicius Junior and Gavi needing to be separated after a coming together in the middle of the park.
Vinciuis certainly stamped his authority on the clash as he opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime with a low strike that Joules Kounde was unable to clear off the line, making it 1-1 on aggregate.
Five minutes after the break, Los Blancos doubled their lead as Modric did well eliminate a few challenges before teeing up Benzema, who sent a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Los Blancos were then awarded a penalty just before the hour mark for Franck Kessie's foul on Vinicius in the box, which allowed Benzema to convert for his second goal on the night.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez responded with a double change after 67 minutes, with Raphinha and Marcos Alonso making way for Garcia and Torres.
The visitors went close to adding a fourth goal in the 78th minute Marco Asensio collected a pass from Vincius on the edge of the box before unleashing a curling strike that was tipped away by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The fourth goal did arrive with ten minutes to and it belonged to Benzema, who completed another hat-trick by firing home from close range after some good work by Vinicius.
Ancelotti's charges managed to see out the closing stages with relative ease as they advanced to the final, where they will face Osasuna.
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