Real Madrid eased past Barcelona with a 4-0 victory at Camp Nou to advance to the Copa del Rey final with a 4-1 aggregate score.
The visitors overturned a 1-0 deficit from the first leg with a brilliant display of counter-attacking football and clinical finishing.
Karim Benzema was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick and setting up Vinicius Jr for the opener. Barcelona had no answer to Madrid’s pace and precision and were left shell-shocked by their arch-rivals.
The first half was evenly balanced, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert any. Barcelona had more possession and looked dangerous through Franck Kessie and Alejandro Balde, while Madrid threatened with Vinicius Jr and Luka Modric.
The game changed in stoppage time of the first half, when Benzema released Vinicius Jr with a clever pass and the Brazilian slotted past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen to level the tie.
The second half was a nightmare for Xavi Hernandez’s team, who conceded three goals in quick succession. Benzema doubled Madrid’s lead in the 50th minute, finishing off a slick move involving Modric and Vinicius Jr.
Eight minutes later, he scored from the penalty spot after Marcos Alonso handled the ball in the box. The former France international completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute, tapping in from close range after another assist from the Brazilian.
Madrid were ruthless and relentless, while Barcelona were hapless and helpless. The result was a humiliation for Xavi, who as a Barca coach suffered his first defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, and it came in a worst possible way.
Madrid, on the other hand, celebrated a memorable win that sent them to their first Copa del Rey final since 2014. They will face Osasuna on May 6, hoping to lift their first trophy of the season.
