(Football news) Real Madrid and comebacks are two terms that are so often used in the same sentence. Last season Real Madrid pulled off so many incredible comebacks in all competitions and this season it has been similar. However, what happened at the Camp Nou was very different. Real Madrid had produced a lackluster display at the last 3 El Clasico’s which Barcelona won. The matches in the Spanish Super Cup and La Liga cost Real Madrid those trophies. The 1st leg at the Santiago Bernabéu was the one which was the most shocking because Real Madrid failed to hit the target at their fortress Santiago Bernabéu.

Carlo Ancelotti lined up with a very attacking midfield of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Fede Valverde. Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr flanked Karim Benzema up front while Eduardo Camavinga continued at right back. Dani Carvajal slotted back at right back ahead of Lucas Vazquez and Nacho. Antonio Rudiger started on the bench presumably due to a fitness issue. Xavi lined up in a 4-3-3 as expected with Gavi on the left wing. The match was very fiery with a lot of tussles between Vinicius and Gavi/Ronald Araujo. Franck Kessie also got into a heated argument with Luka Modric. 

The Camp Nou crowd were constantly throwing things such as lighters on the pitch and the referee asked for an announcement on multiple occasions. Barcelona played well in the 1st half as Real Madrid failed to control the game and had to rely on counter attacks. The big moment came in injury time of the first half as Thibaut Courtois saved Robert Lewandowski’s shot and Real Madrid launched a counter. Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr as usual combined as the latter scored the goal. The teams went into half time on level terms and Real Madrid ernt for the kill in the 2nd half.

In the 50th minute Luka Modric went past 3 players before setting up Karim Benzema. 7 minutes later, Vinicius Jr was fouled by Franck Kessie in the box and Karim Benzema converted it. Barcelona couldn’t create any clear cut chances and Real Madrid were devastating on the counter. Karim Benzema completed his hat-trick after being set up by Vinicius Jr once again. The hat-trick was Benzema 2nd in a row as he bacame the 1st Real Madrid player to score an El Clasico hat-trick since Ivan Zamorano in 1995. 

The victory was the 1st time Real Madrid defeated Barcelona by 4 goals or more in 27 years. Real Madrid were failing to score goals but since the return from the international break they have 10 goals in 2 games. Los Blancos will now play the Copa Del Rey final for the first time since 2014 which was also under Carlo Ancelotti. They will face Osasuna in the final at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. Barcelona now have only the La Liga to focus on where they have a 12 point lead. Real Madrid on the other hand play Chelsea in the Champions League quarter final.

Also read: What can we expect from LaLiga Santander over the final 11 matchdays?