Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey for the twentieth time in club history on Saturday. The Royal won the cup in the final against Osasuna thanks to two goals from Rodrygo: 2-1. The Brazilian owed both tickers almost entirely to compatriot and star Vinícius Júnior, who set up the goals with two impressive accelerations. The final was played at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville.
Ancelotti made five changes after the defeat to Real Sociedad (2-0) in LaLiga. David Alaba returned from a hamstring injury, while Vinicius and Eduardo Camavinga’s suspensions were over. Karim Benzema and Federico Valverde also joined the team. Osasuna lost midweek to Barcelona (1-0) and kicked off with no less than nine new players.
Coach Osasuna: ‘Boys, for many of you this is the only final you will ever play. Start sharp and give it your all!’ ?? Madrid:#ZiggoSport #CopadelRey #RealMadridOsasuna pic.twitter.com/oZk8j36TSY
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 6, 2023
Vinícius Júnior was unstoppable for Osasuna at times. That started in the second minute, when Real Madrid’s left winger rushed past his opponent on the back line. Vinícius found his teammate Rodrygo in the crowd, who was able to tap in: 1-0. Opportunities were then there over and over again. Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois seemed to be beaten in minute 25 by a marker from Abde Ezzalzouli, but was saved on the back line by Dani Carvajal. Moments before that, Karim Benzema saw a shot tapped away by Sergio Herrera on the other side.
????????????????, number ????????! The Brazilian is again accurate in the exciting cup final ?? Does Osasuna still have the energy to come back against Madrid? ??#ZiggoSport #CopadelRey #RealMadridOsasuna pic.twitter.com/qN25D8aY0L
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 6, 2023
After more than half an hour, the same Herrera received help from the crossbar to deflect a free kick from David Alaba. Even after the break, both teams appeared to be evenly matched. After an hour of play, Lucas Torró scored the equalizer with a wonderful low drop kick of eighteen meters: 1-1. Real Madrid was then once again taken by the hand by Vinícius, who had a new raging acceleration from the left flank twenty minutes before the end. His low cross did not arrive this time, but Toni Kroos got a shooting opportunity out of the mess. His attempt bounced off a defender, after which Rodrygo was able to tap in: 2-1. Osasuna fired up again, but fell short for another equalizer.