Copa Del Rey Semi-Final Result And Player Ratings From El Clasico

FC Barcelona hosted bitter rivals Real Madrid in a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg clash at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Here’s the result, some player ratings, and what we learned from the tie.

FC Barcelona 0-4 Real Madrid

Vinicius Jr 46′

Benzema 50′, 58′ (P), 80′

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Was rarely tested in the first half until his positioning had to be perfect for a Karim Benzema effort at the far post. There wasn’t much he could do for Vinicius Jr’s goal, which was on a rapid-pace counter attack, nor many of the others. 6

Alejandro Balde

The La Masia product was always a menace down the left flank and arguably Barca’s best player in the first half alongside Franck Kessie. Had a good shot saved by Courtois from distance as Barca chased an equalizer in the second half and was one of the least guilty for the collapse. 7

Marco Alonso

Was excellent in the opening half hour but got the tackle wrong on Madrid’s counter attack opening goal in first half stoppage time. Handballed and hit a pass into the middle of nowhere as the second half got underway, then watched Luka Modric drift by him to set up Benzema for Madrid’s second. 4

Jules Kounde

Misplaced a pass in the opening stages but worked excellently with Alonso to make an important block in his own box. Tried his best to block Vinicius’ goal but no dice. Didn’t quit as the goals rolled in, but four goals conceded at home is never a good luck for any defender. 6

Ronald Araujo

Charged with covering Vinicius Jr in Kounde’s usual right back role, he covered the Brazilian well for the most part of the opening spell and made an important slide tackle that stopped him from scoring early doors. Given it came from a counter attack started from a missed Barca chance at the other end, he wasn’t at fault when Vini got on the scoresheet but could have maybe thrown himself at the ball as Benzema watched it roll in. Vini skinned him at the start of the second half, but he nearly redeemed himself by almost heading home from a corner and then going on an impressive slalom run and coming close to converting with the outside of his foot. 6

Sergio Busquets

The captain put in a fairly tidy and faultless first half, but the less said about the second the better. Busquets was spent and overrun by Modric, and waited too long to play a through ball to Raphinha when the Brazilian was running into space at around 65 minutes. 5

Franck Kessie

The President made an excellent recovery from Eduardo Camavinga to applause and swiftly played a lovely diagonal ball down the left flank to Balde. He continued dispossessing the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric at will, and even pulled off a cheeky overhead flick that those in Raphinha’s homeland call a chapeu. Barca’s best player in the first half but gave away the penalty for Benzema to make it 3-0. MAN OF THE MATCH – 7

Sergi Roberto

Deservedly got the nod from Xavi and could have been an early hero if his shot hadn’t been blocked. Like his skipper, he wasn’t hugely noticeable but neat with the ball in the first half. In the second, though, he was part of the problem as Madrid’s midfield took over. 5

Gavi

Started at his pressing best and almost provided an assist for Sergi Roberto as the protagonist in a dangerous Barca move. Was booked for a bust up with Vinicius in less than 30 minutes and had to be on his best behaviour for the rest of the proceedings. He did this unintentionally, by providing little of note as Madrid took over after the interval. 5

Robert Lewandowski

Linked play well between Raphinha on the right wing and the top of Madrid’s 18-yard box in the first half. Almost scored on the half time whistle but his blocked shot ended up down the other end for Madrid to level the tie on aggregate. He wasn’t to blame for this of course, but then had an anonymous second half that did nothing to quell suggestions of being a flat track bully since returning to the World Cup. 5

Raphinha

Began with a spring in his step and is clearly high on confidence. Miscontrolled one cross and then failed with an elastico flick but was still cheered by the Camp Nou crowd. Was isolated at times but never shied out of the battle with Vinicius and Camavinga. Started to come into the game a lot more in the second half and appeared to be Barca’s main threat. Hooked for Ferran Torres on 66 minutes. 6

What We Learned

Barca’s hopes of winning a domestic trouble are dead, and they came crashing back down to Earth here with their worst home defeat to their bitter rivals in 60 years.

After a strong first half from the hosts, Madrid’s class began to shine through on an evening where the Catalans clearly missed the injured likes of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen.

There will be an overreaction to the defeat in the Catalan media on Thursday morning, but the previous evening’s action highlighted the need to make signings in the summer. That will be easier said than done with Barca’s debts and financial issues, however.

At least Xavi’s men can take some consolation from three Clasico wins this season, and the fact that they will dethrone Madrid as Spanish champions even if Los Blancos have denied them the chance to reach the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2020.