KARIM Benzema struck a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed arch-rivals and league leaders Barcelona 4-0 to reach the Copa del Rey final in stunning fashion on Wednesday.
Barca, who were looking for a fourth successive Clasico victory this season, looked set for the final having edged a 1-0 win in the first leg of the semi-final in Madrid last month.
But after dominating the early stages of the second leg they fell apart in unlikely fashion to lose 4-1 on aggregate.
It came after the Barcelona faithful were heard chanting Lionel Messi’s name in the 10th minute amid speculation over his potential return.
Vinicius Jr gave Real the lead in first-half stoppage time following a lightning counter-attack.
And the semi-final was turned on its head when Benzema stroked a shot into the corner five minutes into the second half from a Luka Modric pass.
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Eight minutes later Vinicius was fouled in the area and Benzema thumped his penalty past Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
With jeers echoing around the Nou Camp, Barcelona tried to respond but it was Real Madrid who looked the more likely to add to their tally with Benzema unstoppable.
In the 80th minute he was again set up by Vinicius to complete his second hat-trick in a matter of days.
The Frenchman also hit a treble in the 6-0 destruction of Real Valladolid on Sunday.
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The game then became fiery as it drew to a close as Barcelona began to target Vinicius, chopping him down on several occasions.
It came after Barca boss Xavi had been booked earlier in the game for remonstrating with the referee.
And the toxic atmosphere saw the Barca fans jeer their own players as they trudged off the pitch at the end of the game.
Real will fancy their chances of winning the trophy for a 20th time when they face Osasuna.
Osasuna reached the final after they beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on aggregate on Tuesday.
Real Madrid still have the opportunity to win two trophies this season as they are also in the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they will face Chelsea.
But Barcelona look nailed on for the league as they hold a 12-point lead over Real with just 11 games remaining.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
