Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey on Saturday after defeating Osasuna 2-1 in Seville. Rodrygo Goes was the hero for Real Madrid, scoring both of the team’s goals in the triumph. The squad led by Carlo Ancelotti won their 20th Spanish Cup in their 40th final, putting an end to a nine-year drought in which they were unable to hoist the trophy.
Osasuna, who have never won a major trophy in their history, battled valiantly but ultimately fell short against the reigning Spanish and European champions, who will play Manchester City in the semi-finals of the Champions League on Tuesday. Osasuna has never won a major title.
After only two minutes, Rodrygo gave Madrid the lead with a goal, and Ancelotti’s squad continued to have the better opportunities throughout the first half. Osasuna’s Lucas Torro scored an equalizer for them in the 58th minute, giving them optimism that they may pull off an upset in their first cup final since 2005 and only their second ever.
Rodrygo, though, was there to ensure that Madrid would bring the title back to the nation’s capital by scoring the winning goal when he was presented with a rebound opportunity.
“I’m really happy, we were talking about this during the week, that it was a long time since Madrid had won this competition,” Rodrygo said in an interview with a Spanish television channel called La 1.
“I just needed this to complete (my set of trophies), it’s a very special day for me, and with two goals, I’m very happy,” he said. “It’s a very special day for me, with two goals, and I’m very happy.”
Rodrygo, who is now 22 years old and came to Madrid from Santos in 2019, has already won every club prize there is to win with Madrid. “I want to keep winning a lot more, and I want to win this cup many more times,” he said. “I have a lot of potential.” “Because it’s the first, and because the vibe is unique, today is a very special day for me,” she said.
After Luka Modric suffered an injury, Ancelotti decided to leave him on the bench, and Jagoba Arrasate decided to play Jon Moncayola, a midfielder, at right back in an effort to block Madrid’s winger Vinicius Junior.
It didn’t work. Vinicius made a break for it down the left side of the field in the second minute, and Fede Valverde failed to react quickly enough to his dangerous cut-back, which was then finished off by Rodrygo.
The Brazilian, who was playing really well, scored the earliest goal in a Copa del Rey final since 2006, which was the year when Osasuna finished in second place behind Real Betis. After another lightning-fast break by Vinicius, Karim Benzema had a golden opportunity to double Madrid’s advantage, but Sergio Herrera made a fantastic stop to deny the striker the opportunity.
Osasuna got a footing in the game and came within a hair’s breadth of leveling the score when Barcelona winger Ez Abde, who was playing for Osasuna on loan, broke through on goal.
The attacker took advantage of an error committed by Eder Militao and, with only Thibaut Courtois between him and the goal, attempted to loft the ball over the Belgian goalkeeper; however, Dani Carvajal was there to clear it off the line.
Vinicius fell down in the area under pressure from David Garcia, an Osasuna defender, as Madrid maintained their pursuit of a second goal. David Alaba took a free kick and hit the crossbar with it. Vinicius was brought down by Garcia. His pleas were rejected, and Vinicius got into a fight with Garcia, who had been a fan of Vinicius since he was a youngster and had tousled the Brazilian’s hair in an attempt to aggravate him more.
Vinicius was booked shortly before half-time for complaining, and when the players went in at half-time, he exchanged furious words with Osasuna replacement Chimy Avila. Lucas Vazquez intervened to end the incident as Vinicius and Chimy Avila argued with each other. When Abde’s cross was diverted into Torro’s path from the edge of the box, Torro was able to drill a goal for Osasuna that tied the game.
The enthusiastic fans of the club celebrated in a riotous manner, which included setting up a flare that had to be put out, and one supporter had to be carried away on a stretcher, although he looked to be happy the whole time. However, Osasuna’s delight did not last for very long since Vinicius made another threatening break in down the left side of the field.
Rodrygo was able to finish with grace and put Madrid’s name on the trophy after the forward passed the ball to Toni Kroos, whose effort was stopped. However, Rodrygo was in the right position at the right moment.