Vini Jr. and Karim Benzema stole the show at Camp Nou Wednesday as the attacking duo were dominant during Real Madrid’s 4-0 victory vs. Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semifinals. Madrid won on aggregate 4-1.
Benzema scored a hat trick while Vini Jr. scored one, drew a penalty and had what could be assist of the year.
Let’s skip straight to the good part and look at that fancy assist from the Brazilian. With Los Blancos leading 3-1 on aggregate in the 80th minute, Vini Jr. and Benzema put the nail in the Camp Nou coffin with a splendid move.
Madrid beautifully countered throughout the game and did so once again in the final stages of the match. Vini Jr. came barreling down the field toward Eric García and then found Benzema with a genius pass. The Brazilian utilized both feet to utterly bamboozle García.
Vini Jr. assist to Benzema vs. Barcelona
BENZEMA WITH BACK-TO-BACK HAT TRICKS
REAL MADRID HAVE TORN APART BARCELONA pic.twitter.com/j4W4JKTpf0— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 5, 2023
Vinicius assist to Benzema was insane! pic.twitter.com/3bfDP0lkvZ
— TC (@totalcristiano) April 5, 2023
Karim Benzema is the first Real Madrid player with a hat trick at Camp Nou since Ferenc Puskás in 1963
Legendary performance pic.twitter.com/8Yh1KdgTmn— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 5, 2023
Assist of the year we’re calling it now. The move saw Benzema score his second hat trick in Madrid's last two games.
Madrid’s attacking duo were involved in all four goals. Vini Jr. opened the scoring moments before halftime to get his side level on aggregate. Robert Lewandowski had nearly scored at the other end, but then Madrid responded with an incredible counterattack.
WHAT A COUNTER FROM REAL MADRID!
BENZEMA GIVES THEM A 1-0 LEAD IN EL CLASICO AFTER A WILD SEQUENCE pic.twitter.com/j4OfdLTSXg— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 5, 2023
Five minutes into the second half Luka Modric did well to set up Benzema for his second goal. Real Madrid had the lead on aggregate and their eyes on the club’s first Copa del Rey final since 2014.
KARIM BENZEMA MAKES IT 2-0!
REAL MADRID HAVE TURNED THIS TIE ON ITS HEAD pic.twitter.com/dNRR6SHnqX— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 5, 2023
Only a couple minutes later Vini Jr. was brought down by Franck Kessie in the penalty area. Benzema stepped up and calmly put away the penalty to give Madrid a 3-1 aggregate lead.
BENZEMA BRACE IN EL CLASICO
REAL MADRID ARE RUNNING AWAY WITH IT! pic.twitter.com/tQaYFhLwIJ— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 5, 2023
Despite having the 3-1 lead, Real Madrid kept creating chances while Barcelona looked toothless in attack. Xavi’s side had bested Real Madrid in the last three El Clásico’s but had no answers on Wednesday.
The victory at Camp Nou was the first time Real Madrid scored four or more goals in an away El Clásico since 1963. Historical domination.
Real Madrid will meet Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on May 6 with a chance to lift the trophy for the first time in nine years.
