Global Courant 2023-05-07 03:34:41
Real Madrid are celebrating their 20th Copa del Rey success
Rodrygo scored twice as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2014 after beating Osasuna in the final in Seville.
The Brazilian was ready to fire the winner from close range after Toni Kroos’ shot deflected into his path.
Osasuna, who only played in their second Copa del Rey final, was in danger of being upset when Lucas Torro tied the score.
Rodrygo gave Real an early lead with the fastest goal in a Spanish Cup final in 17 years at 106 seconds.
Supported by nearly 25,000 fans at the Estadio de La Cartuja, Osasuna had their chance as they went after a first major trophy in their 103-year history.
They were denied an injury time equalizer when Dani Carvajal produced a last-ditch block to keep out Kike Barja’s lateral effort.
Los Rojillos, which translates as The Little Reds, had more shots on target (5) than Real (3), but Carlo Ancelotti’s side ended up being more clinical in front of goal.
Victory for Real secures a 20th Copa del Rey title as they now turn their attention to Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.
Really ruined Osasuna’s party
Osasuna fans had traveled in droves and painted the city of Seville red in anticipation of Saturday’s final, but things couldn’t have started worse on the pitch.
Vinicius Jr, who returned to Real’s starting eleven as Ancelotti made five changes to the side that lost at Real Sociedad, proved to be a constant threat down the left side.
The Brazilian beat his marker and reached the touchline before cutting the ball back over the goal for Rodrygo to convert for the opening goal.
Osasuna’s task almost became even more difficult when Karim Benzema forced Sergio Herrera’s clever save, but Jagoba Arrasate’s side started to grow in the game and they could have equalized a minute later.
Abde Ezzalzouli headed for goal after fending off Eder Militao’s challenge.
The equalizer did come after half time as Torro’s controlled finish from outside the penalty area against his former club sent the red half of the stadium into delirium.
Some of the enthusiasm spilled over when play was briefly halted while the stewards had to use a fire extinguisher on a loose fireworks display housing the Osasuna fans.
But Madrid always had a threat and when Vinicius Jr broke through again from the left and dragged the ball back from the touchline, Kroos’ effort came from Garcia, allowing Rodrygo to pounce and lift it into the net.
With the La Liga title seemingly on their way to Barcelona, Ancelotti’s side will enjoy their celebration before turning their attention to the Champions League.
The holders hope to welcome Luka Modric after a hamstring injury to face City in the first leg at the Bernabeu.
Setups
RealMadrid
Formation 4-3-3
1Courtois
2Carvajal Ramos3Military4Alaba12Camavinga
15Valverde18Tchouameni8Duckweed
21Rodrygo9Benzema20Vinicius Junior
1CourtoisBooked at 90 minutes2Carvajal Ramos3MilitaryBooked at 41 min4Alaba12CamavingaBooked at 75 minutes15ValverdeBooked at 90 minutes18TchouameniSubstituted forRudigerbee 69′minutes8DuckweedSubstituted forModricbee 82′minutes21RodrygoSubstituted forAsensiobee 89′minutes9Benzema20Vinicius JuniorBooked at 45 minutes
Substitutes
5Vallejo6Nacho7E Danger10Modric11Asensio13Lunin16Odriozola17Vazquez19Ceballos22Rudiger24Mariano
Osasuna
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Herrera
7Moncayola23Hernández5Garcia3Alvaro Armado
6Torro16Gomez Bardonado
15Pena22Oroz12Ezzalzouli
17Budimir
1Herrera7MoncayolaBooked at 21 min23Hernández5GarciaBooked at 37 minutes3Alvaro Armado6TorroSubstituted forIbanezbee 86′minutesBooked at 90 minutes16Gomez BardonadoSubstituted forKikebee 86′minutes15PenaSubstituted forGarciabee 75′minutes22Oroz12EzzalzouliSubstituted forBarbara Alfonsobee 75′minutesBooked at 83 minutes17BudimirSubstituted forAvilabee 70′minutes
Substitutes
4Garcia9Avila11Barbara Alfonso14Garcia18Kike19Ibanez20Sanchez25Fernandez31Herrando34Munoz35Moreno
Referee: José María Sanchez Martinez
