Spanish Cup 2023

Spanish Cup 2023 Champions

A Rodrygo brace in the final against Osasuna hands Real Madrid their 20th title in the competition.

Real Madrid have been crowned Copa del Rey champions for the 20th time in their history. Our team beat Osasuna 2-1 in the final at the Estadio La Cartuja (Seville). A superb Vini Jr. run set up Rodrygo to open the scoring just two minutes into the game. Lucas Torró then levelled proceedings on 58’, before Rodrygo sealed the victory twelve minutes later. After getting their hands on the Copa, Real Madrid have now won three titles this season, following their successes in the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup.

The game had barely got underway when the madridistas took the lead. With only two minutes on the clock, Vini Jr. picked the ball up on the left flank, slipped past Moncayola before turning R. Peña inside out on the byline and laying the ball to Rodrygo, who stroked home with his left foot. Osasuna's response came six minutes later, and twice in quick succession, as both Budimir and Aimar saw their headed efforts saved by Courtois.

The clash was being played at a frenetic pace and Vini Jr. was a constant threat down the left. On 25’, the Brazilian weaved his way past Moncayola and cut the ball back to Rodrygo, who backheeled it to Benzema, but Herrera was at hand to deny the Frenchman. One minute later, Abde was played through on goal, the forward dinked the ball over Courtois, only for Carvajal to slide in and make a goal-line clearance. On the half-hour mark, Ancelotti‘s boys almost doubled their lead when they were awarded a freekick well outside the penalty area in the 32nd minute. Alaba swerved in a shot that came crashing back off the crossbar. Moments after, Vini Jr. curled an effort wide of the post.

The second half began with Osasuna pressing for an equaliser and Los Rojillos found one with 58 minutes on the clock when Torró drilled in a low shot from the edge of the D. Madrid soon responded and came within a whisker of scoring four minutes later. Benzema crossed from the left and Valverde’s volley from the penalty spot narrowly missed the target. Ancelotti’s side went back in front in the 70th minute after a similar move to their first goal. Vini Jr. got past two defenders to reach the byline and pull back for Kroos and the ball fell to Rodrygo who stabbed home from close range. The Brazilian was given a standing ovation when he was replaced by Asensio on 89’.

A third goal looked certain to materialise just one minute later when Vini Jr. raced through against Herrera, but his pass to Benzema fell just short and the Osasuna shot-stopper was able to smother the ball. From that point to the end, Real Madrid managed their lead well to ensure they would lift their third trophy of the season, following the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup.