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Madrid's 20th Copa completes collection for Brazil pair

China Daily | Updated: 2023-05-08 09:20
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Osasuna's Lucas Torro and Real Madrid's Federico Valverde collide during Saturday's Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, Spain. Rodrygo struck twice and his compatriot Vinicius Junior dazzled as the Brazilian pair inspired Madrid to a 2-1 win that earned the club its 20th Copa del Rey title and first since 2014. AP

SEVILLE, Spain — Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior completed their collection of club trophies for Real Madrid on Saturday after helping win the club its first Copa del Rey in nearly a decade.

Vinicius provided the play-making and Rodrygo struck two goals in a 2-1 victory over a feisty Osasuna side that fell behind shortly after kickoff but was never out of the final.

While Karim Benzema had a subdued performance, his attack partners were decisive.

The pair of 22-year-old Brazil forwards have now won all the titles possible at club level, after adding the Spanish Cup to their European Cup, Spanish league, Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup titles.

Next up: defend its Champions League title to win a record-extending 15th European Cup.

Manchester City arrives in the Spanish capital on Tuesday for a rematch of last year's Champions League semifinal, won by Madrid.

" (Vinicius and Rodrygo) made the difference," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "Vini caused them lots of problems in the first half, Rodrygo scored two goals. These two players decide games.

"Like all finals, it was suffering and then happiness. We are going to celebrate a little bit and then think about Tuesday."

Rodrygo was set up by Vinicius after two minutes at La Cartuja Stadium. Osasuna's Lucas Torro equalized in the 58th, but Rodrygo put Madrid back ahead for good in the 70th.

Since winning its last Copa del Rey in 2014, the 14-time European Cup winner had won four Champions League titles while falling short in the Spanish Cup.

That changed on Saturday, when it defeated an Osasuna side that was seeking its first major title in club history after also losing its only other Copa del Rey final in 2005.Madrid has 20 Copa del Rey titles, behind only Barcelona (31) and Athletic Bilbao (23).

"We had been talking all week about how it had been a long time since Real Madrid had won this title,"Rodrygo said. "I really wanted to win this title since it was this that was the only (club) title I was missing."

Benzema celebrated his club record-matching 25th title with Madrid after he received the cup from Spain's King Felipe VI, who presided over the game.

Rodrygo was key to Madrid's run to its record-extending 14th European Cup last season. And against Osasuna he proved clutch in yet another big match, especially when cued by countryman Vinicius.

Vinicius dribbled past both Jon Moncayola and Ruben Pena before slipping the ball past three other defenders to find Rodrygo in the middle of the area to score the early opener.

"It is very tough to defend Vinicius as City will see on Tuesday," said Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate, who wept after the final whistle from what he said was the "built-up tension".

"We were right there in it in the second half," Torro said. "We just didn't know how to hang in there. Their second goal really hurt. We made a silly mistake (on their first goal) but we didn't give up and gave Real Madrid a fight. I am proud of my team."

Play was paused briefly after Torro's goal when a flare was lit in a section packed with Osasuna's thrilled fans.

It was Madrid's third title of the season after it had won the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup. It lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona and is in third place in the Spanish league and with almost no chance of catching runaway leader Barca.

Agencies via Xinhua

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