Karim Benzema struck a hattrick as Real Madrid thrashed arch-rivals and league leaders Barcelona 4-0 on Wednesday (April 5) to reach the Copa del Rey final in stunning fashion.
Barca, bidding for a fourth successive Clasico victory this season, looked set for the final having edged a 1-0 win in the first leg of the semi-final in Madrid last month.
But after dominating the early stages of the second leg they fell apart in unlikely fashion to lose 4-1 on aggregate, with Benzema becoming the first Real player to score a hattrick in a Clasico at the Nou Camp since Ferenc Puskas in 1963, Reuters reported.
Vinicius Jr gave Real the lead in first-half stoppage time following a lightning counterattack and the semi-final was turned on its head when Benzema stroked a shot into the corner five minutes into the second half from a Luka Modric pass.
Eight minutes later Vinicius was fouled in the area and Benzema thumped his penalty past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
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 and one Barca will want to forget.
