With a significant advantage thanks to the 1-0 victory in the first leg at the Bernabeu a month ago, Barcelona returned home to welcome Real Madrid in the second leg with the goal of getting a draw to reach the final of the King's Cup. This is not an out-of-reach goal for coach Xavi Hernandez and his team as they have the advantage with 3/4 victories in the matches against Real Madrid this season.
Robert Lewandowski surrounded by Real Madrid defenders
Barcelona started the game well and the home team would have scored if Real Madrid's Edouardo Camavinga had not rushed to block Raphinha's close-range shot in the 2nd minute, or if Eder Militao had not touched the ball in time, changing the direction of Sergi Roberto's shot in the 10th minute.
Raphinha was alone on the right flank, lacking connection with Lewandowski.
Too caught up in fierce disputes, even getting into fights with their opponents, Barcelona players gradually lost themselves, loosened their grip on the game and fell into Real Madrid's trap. In the 45+1 minute, Real Madrid counter-attacked and Vinicius Junior coordinated with Benzema before he himself fired a shot that hit Jules Kounde. The ball changed direction, hit the post and then crossed the Barcelona goal line while Karim Benzema rushed in to secure the goal.
Vinicius Junior opens the scoring for Real Madrid
The goal was only enough to level the score after two matches but it inadvertently collapsed Barcelona's defense system, which has been famously solid this season. Disaster struck at the Nou Camp after the break when Karim Benzema scored two goals in seven minutes, including a penalty. Barcelona's defense continued to make mistakes and in the 81st minute, Benzema and Vinicius once again combined to penetrate, with the French striker putting an end to the second leg of the semi-final with his own third goal.
Benzema scores from the penalty spot...
..."shoot down" goalkeeper Ter Stegen from all directions
After a successful comeback after two semi-final matches with a total score of 4-1, Real Madrid entered the final of the King's Cup after 9 years of waiting, rekindling hopes of winning at least the double this season while still participating in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and the final of the King's Cup. After being eliminated early in the Champions League and Europa League, Barcelona now has lost all hope in the King's Cup before being able to think about the La Liga championship title.
It took Real Madrid 9 years to reach the final of the King's Cup
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