Real Madrid Beats Osasuna, Wins Copa Del Rey

Real Madrid beat Osasuna 2-1 on Saturday to win its 20th Copa del Rey title after Rodrygo’s double at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, Spain.

Striker Karim Benzema returned to Real Madrid’s starting lineup, with Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior supporting on the wings. For Osasuna, Ante Budimir featured in attack with Ruben Pena and Abdessamad on the flanks.

Real Madrid opened the scoring after two minutes after a brilliant piece of play. Winger Vinicius Junior dribbled past several defenders on the left wing and his perfect pass found Rodrygo in the box, with the Brazilian firing into the net past goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.

The Spanish champions dominated possession and created several chances to extend its lead in the fist half, but could not convert their chances. The scores remained 1-0 at halftime.

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Real Madrid took their foot off the gas in the second half and failed to add to their goal tally, which allowed Osasuna back into the game as Lucas Torro equalised in the 58th minute.

Madrid looked for  way back into the game after the setback and were rewarded 12 minutes later.

Rodrygo scored the winning goal when he finished from close range after Vinicius’s run and cross found Toni Kroos, whose shot was deflected off a defender before ending up at the feet of Rodrygo at the far post. The Brazilian made no mistake tapping in the loose ball. 2-1 to Madrid!!

The matched finished 2-1 as Real Madrid claimed a much needed win  and a confidence boost after a run of poor results as they prepare to host Manchester City in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Real Madrid have now won their 20th Copa del Rey title and a first since 2014.

🏆🏆 WE ARE COPA DEL REY CHAMPIONS 🏆🏆
🏁 FT: @realmadriden 2-1 @osasuna_en
⚽ @rodrygogoes 2′, 69′; Torró 58′#CampeonesCopa | #Emirates pic.twitter.com/GZHWclqkba

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 6, 2023

“I’m very happy because I have just won the only title I didn’t have with Real Madrid at only 22 years old. It’s an amazing feeling,” Rodrygo said in an interview after the match.

“We were talking this week about how long it has been since Real Madrid have not won this competition and I, personally, was missing it too. I scored two goals… it was a very special night for me.”