Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid (1-4 agg): Carlo Ancelotti reaches Copa del Rey final

Karim Benzema destroyed Barcelona’s defense as Real Madrid won 4-0 at the Camp Nou to reach the Spanish Cup final. The only doubt about his blistering performance is whether he scored three or four. He appeared to have touched the first after it crossed the line, but goals two, three and four were in no doubt.

Barcelona fans chanted Lionel Messi’s name for ten minutes, but this performance from a 35-year-old striker will not lead this team to win the big knockout games – even if he is the greatest in history.

They were slow all over the field. Robert Lewandowski offered almost no threat – he has three years left on his contract. Sergio Busquets looked even more out of rhythm as an energetic and excited Madrid rioted in midfield.

They missed Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele. And there was no Andreas Christensen either, but this was further proof that despite all that they have admirably produced an excellent league campaign that will leave them champions, they have fallen woefully short of major cup competitions in Europe and At home.

This Madrid also has plenty of miles on the clock, but the engine is still running menacingly when it matters most and they deserved the emphatic score of coming into the game 1-0 from the first leg.

Xavi watched as his side collapsed under pressure from Real Madrid, despite leading from the first leg

Real Madrid showed their characteristic brilliance in two-legged cup matches to reach the final

They leveled on the stroke of half time when Rodrgyo beat Marcos Alonso on a quick counter to release Vinicius. He exchanged passes with Benzema near Barcelona and his shot meandered over the line despite Jules Kounde’s best efforts. Benzema made sure he got on the line, but the Brazilian claimed the goal and turned to supporters who had taunted him during the first half to celebrate the goal.

It came no more than 20 seconds after Barcelona thought they had taken the lead, only for Thibaut Courtois to make a brilliant save from Lewandowski.

Madrid were ignited by the goal and surrounded the referee Jose Luis Martinez Munuera as he blew the time at three added minutes just as they were on the counter.

It was not the first time that the first half threatened to boil over. Xavi was shown a yellow card for complaining outside his technical zone that no foul had been committed against Franck Kessie and immediately afterwards for a foul against Vinicius. He was lucky not to be shown another yellow card and sent off when he appeared to confront the fourth official.

Gavi clattered into Vinicius and the Brazilian retaliated by grabbing him from behind. Both were booked. Eder Militao was lucky not to get a yellow card for going through Lewandowski from behind. Luka Modric also bounced off the ball with Kessie, but they made amends without needing more cards from Munuera.

Both sides were also scared. Madrid in the opening minutes as David Alaba handled Gavi’s cross, but match officials believed he broke his fall as he went down.

And Barcelona was saved by Araujo’s last-ditch challenge to deny Vinicius. Their battle raged throughout the first half – a new chapter in a rivalry that shows no sign of abating.

Madrid’s second came from their first attack after the restart. Militao robbed Busquets with ease. Modric pushed through and Sergio Roberto was also passed. From the Croat’s pass, Benzema finished first to give Barcelona the lead.

Barcelona had three quick chances, but they missed good blocks from Eduardo Camavinga, Alaba and Courtois. Araujo went plundering forward and put Fede Valverde on his back in the area, but he fired wide.

Just before the hour it was three o’clock for Madrid. The excellent Kessie made his first mistake by fouling Vinicius and Benzema scored from the spot. It was 3-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid and suddenly there were fewer doubts about who reached the final than who would claim that first goal.

Barça needed their bench, but there wasn’t much on it. Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati and Eric Garcia came on. The latter replaced Marcos Alonso who was struggling in the center of defense but his first contribution was a late tackle and a yellow card.

Raphinha and Kessi gave way to the other two. The Brazilian’s goal had rarely troubled the excellent Camavinga. Kessie had paid for his mistake for the penalty. Torres soon joined Garcia in the book.

They bided their time all along – they finally seized the game with the help of trickery and superior experience

The game was ill-tempered throughout with no less than 11 players going into the book

Vinicius – who had destroyed Barcelona in the counter-attack – had to be led away in a rage

Ronald Araujo had a torrid evening against Vinicius – with the only answer being a foul on the player

Barcelona now only saved face – Marc Andre ter Stegen pushed Benzema’s shot away after Vinicius was once again spun out of Barcelona’s fragile defence.

Madrid now looked to be knocking out Barcelona with every counterattack and Benzema scored again with nine minutes remaining after another gift of a pass from Vinicius.

The Brazilian had helped the number nine destroy Barcelona but he is also developing a self-destructive side to his game and he collided with Araujo who was booked and taken off by Ancelotti for fear of being sent off sent.

It didn’t spoil Madrid’s best night of the season – they faced the waiting champions and they had marbled them on their own turf.