
Audio By Carbonatix
Karim Benzema scored a second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid routed Barcelona to reach the Copa del Rey final.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Madrid levelled the tie through Vinicius Jr in first-half stoppage time.
Benzema added two goals early in the second half - the second from the penalty spot - to put the visitors in control and completed his hat-trick to seal the win in the 80th minute.
Carlo Ancelotti's side will face Osasuna in the final on 6 May.
Barcelona had the better of a feisty first half at the Nou Camp, but their best chance led directly to Madrid's opener in first-half injury time.
After keeper Thibaut Courtois got down smartly to stop Robert Lewandowski's effort, the away side broke quickly and, after exchanging passes with Benzema, Vinicius squeezed his effort into the bottom corner.
Five minutes after the break, Madrid were in front on aggregate as Luka Modric drove forward and rolled the ball into the path of Benzema, who swept the ball home from the edge of the area.
Xavi's side were reeling and when Franck Kessie needlessly brought Vinicius down in the box, Benzema sent Marc-Andre ter Stegen the wrong way from the spot to extend the lead.
The France striker got his third with 10 minutes remaining after a devastating Madrid counter, again led by Vinicius, with Barcelona having committed men forward searching for a way back into the tie.
It was Benzema's second hat-trick in successive games after achieving the feat last Sunday against Real Valladolid.
Latest Stories
-
Netherlands Fire Chief in Ghana to support fire safety reforms and market fire prevention efforts
41 minutes -
Mason goes on remand for stealing
44 minutes -
Gov’t cuts fuel taxes, deploys buses to curb impact of rising fuel prices
1 hour -
Interior Minister calls for intelligence-driven strategy as Ghana strengthens counter-terrorism efforts
1 hour -
Adenta Circuit Court remands Pastor William Gyimah over viral threats against Vice President
2 hours -
“We’ve implemented changes to prevent a repeat of the AFCON final” – CAF President Motsepe
2 hours -
Gov’t orders deployment of Metro Mass buses to cushion commuters amid fuel price hike
3 hours -
Key Indian state polls begin in test for Modi’s party
3 hours -
Playback: Gomoa Easter Carnival in photos
3 hours -
Gov’t orders removal of fuel taxes to ease pump price hikes
3 hours -
“Whatever the decision of CAS, we will respect it” – CAF President Motsepe after AFCON final meetings in Morocco
4 hours -
Emma Ankrah: When waiting becomes part of treatment – Reflections on hospital care
4 hours -
Ghana urges travellers to prepare for new EU border system roll-out
4 hours -
Mahama enforces fuel coupon ban for ministers as cabinet moves to slash fuel taxes
4 hours -
Task force probes strange fish deaths in Tema
4 hours