The Real Madrid players particularly enjoyed reaching the final. The intoxicating 4-0 in the Clásico at eternal arch-rivals FC Barcelona will remain in the memories of the royal fans for a long time to come. “Real Madrid are gifting their supporters with a Wednesday of unforgettable passion,” wrote Spain’s sports daily mark. “Madrid dances into the final,” said the rival newspaper ace.
The hosts started at the Camp Nou with a 1-0 lead from the victory at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Amid the serious allegations related to the refereeing scandal surrounding FC Barcelona and the speculation about the return of Lionel Messi, the Catalans got the worst kind of mood dampener, even if coach Xavi Hernández emphasized: “It’s not my worst night.”
Real made up for the deficit from the first leg with Vinicius Junior’s 1-0 lead (45+1) just before the break. After the change of sides, goalscorer Karim Benzema made the decision against a powerless Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal for FC Barcelona. In the 50th minute, 58th by penalty kick and 80th, the Frenchman scored a perfect hat trick. “Benzema crushes Barça,” wrote L’Equipe. “He’s incredible,” said team-mate Federico Valverde. Real will face league rivals CA Osasuna in the final on May 6 in Seville.
But not only Benzema excelled against FC Barcelona. In addition to Luka Modric in midfield, former German world champion Toni Kroos also shone. “The two of them played a spectacular game,” praised coach Carlo Ancelotti, who by winning the second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals also got his team in the mood for the upcoming quarter-finals first leg in the Champions League next Wednesday against Chelsea .
Opponents Barcelona are left with only the Spanish championship, in which the club leads 12 points ahead of Real. “Barça showed their weaknesses at the worst moment and the whites struck,” said Sports. They are the Spanish champions and the Champions League winners, “and they don’t forgive,” said Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández, himself a professional player in many Clásicos, about Real: “If you don’t kill Madrid, Madrid will kill you .”