Real Madrid had to wait nine years before getting their hands on their crown. Thanks to a double from Rodrygo, the Spanish club overpowered Osasuna 2-1 and won its 20th Copa del Rey on Saturday in Sevilla.

Real's young Brazilian gem opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, on the Merengues' first attacking ball, at the conclusion of a breakthrough by Vinicius on the left wing. Then after Lucas Torro's equaliser with a half-volley from the right back from the dressing room (58th), Rodrygo inherited a lucky ball, after a Toni Kroos strike deflected by the Navarrese defence, which he just had to poke over Sergio Herrera.

Full of confidence before the match against City

Three days before their Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City, Carlo Ancelotti's men, reigning European and Spanish champions, won their first trophy of the season at the best of times, just before the final sprint to the continental title.

Excited from the start, the players found the fault 106 seconds into the game, scoring one of the fastest goals in the history of the Copa del Rey finals. Very used this season (50 games, 35 as a starter), Rodrygo, 22, has once again shown his importance in the merengue group, perfect support of Karim Benzema and Vinicius (at the origin of the two goals from his left wing) in the attacking trident of Real. He now has 16 goals and 11 assists this season in all competitions. Replaced by Marco Asensio in the 89th, Rodrygo received a standing ovation from half of the Cartuja stadium, dressed in white.

Osasuna, on the other hand, showed a better face when they returned from the locker room. Non-existent in the first half, apart from some flashes of the prodigy Ez Abde (26th), the Navarrese started the second period much better, dominating the game and offering themselves some great opportunities for goals before the equalization. The "Gorritxo" (redheads, in Basque language), who were playing there their second final of the Copa del Rey after the one lost in 2005 against Betis Sevilla, will nevertheless have to wait to lift the first major trophy in their history.

Benzema very close to 2-0

Real, for its part, could have won by a larger margin. Benzema, the captain, had the ball to make it 2-0 at the end of the foot in the 25th minute after a superb three-man play with his fellow attackers, but his shot was deflected by a great Sergio Herrera. Then in the 32nd, David Alaba sent a free kick from 25 yards over the crossbar.

Benzema still won his 25th title in the merengue jersey, joining Marcelo at the top of the players who have won the most titles at Real Madrid. The "Nueve" also lifted the 99th trophy in the history of this club with a huge palmares.

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