BARCELONA—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, bidding 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 with Benzema becoming the first Real player to score a hat-trick in a Clasico at the Nou Camp since Ferenc Puskas in 1963.
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….