On Wednesday, Karim Benzema changed the course of El Clasico.
In the second leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals at Estadio Camp Nou, the star striker for Real Madrid scored three goals to lead Los Blancos to a 4-0 triumph (4-1 aggregate) over FC Barcelona.
Since Ivan Zamorano in 1995, Benzema became the first Real Madrid player to score three goals in an El Clasico, and the first to do it at the storied Barcelona stadium since Ferenc Puskas in 1963.
In the 50th minute, Benzema scored from the top of the box to give Real Madrid the lead after Vinicius Jr. had tied the game in first-half stoppage time.
After scoring three goals in a La Liga match on Sunday against Real Valladolid, it was Benzema's second consecutive hat trick.
On May 6, Real Madrid will play Osasuna in the Copa del Rey championship. Real Madrid is 12 points behind La Liga leader Barcelona. Los Blancos will be making their first appearance in the competition's final since they defeated Barcelona in 2014.
The first Real Madrid player to ever score a hat-trick in a Clasico at Camp Nou is Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 4-0 in the second leg to advance 4-1 on the overall score.
In the Copa del Rey championship game, Real Madrid will take on Osasuna.
After scoring three goals in a La Liga match on Sunday against Real Valladolid, it was Benzema's second consecutive hat trick. Real will be attempting to win their 20th championship in this tournament and their first since 2014, while Osasuna will be seeking to win the first major trophy in the club's more than a century-long existence.
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