SEVILLE: Rodrygo struck twice and Vinicius Jr dazzled as Real Madrid beat Osasuna 2-1 on Saturday to win their 20th Copa del Rey title and first since 2014.

Brazilian Rodrygo scored the opener after two minutes but Carlo Ancelotti’s side were pegged back when Lucas Torro equalised 13 minutes after the break.

Rodrygo, however, tapped in a loose ball in the 70th minute to claim a much needed win for Real and a confidence boost after a run of poor results as they prepare to host Manchester City in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

Real have now won all six of the trophies available to them during Ancelotti’s second reign at the club, after the Italian returned in 2021. Los Blancos were dominant against Osasuna courtesy of a brilliant performance by Vinicius, who was virtually unstoppable down the left channel and was involved in the build-up to both Rodrygo’s goals with superb individual runs.

Rodrygo scored the opener with a tidy finish through a forest of legs after Vinicius dribbled past several defenders on the left wing and delivered a perfect cross with the outside of his boot.

Real had almost 65 per cent of the possession and Vinicius created several opportunities but his team-mates failed to make the most of it.

“They made the difference, Vini unbalanced them and Rodrygo scored the two goals,” said Ancelotti of his Brazilian wingers.

Madrid beat both Atletico Madrid and then rivals Barcelona to reach the final and Ancelotti said it was time to celebrate, but not too heavily ahead of the clash with City.

“This night we will celebrate, a little bit, not too much, and then we will get back to work for Tuesday.”

Rodrygo missed a sitter half an hour into the game after another Vinicius run and Osasuna almost scored on the counterattack through Abde, but a desperate Dani Carvajal managed to clear the ball off the goal line.

A little later, David Alaba hit the crossbar with a free kick and Vinicius almost scored himself with a curling shot from the edge of the box that went just wide.

Real, however, took their foot off the gas in the second half and allowed Osasuna to level with Torro finding the net with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Rodrygo, however, scored the winner when he finished from close range after Vinicius’s run and cross-found Toni Kroos whose shot was deflected off a defender before ending up at the feet of Rodrygo at the far post.

“I’m really happy, we were talking about this in the week, that it was a long time since Madrid had won this competition,” Rodrygo told Spanish television broadcaster La 1.

Osasuna departed with the taste of defeat but their heads held high.

“It’s very difficult to defend against (Vinicius) and on Tuesday I am sure City will suffer too,” said coach Arrasate.

“It’s not news that Vinicius stood out, Rodrygo scored two as well, we’re talking about two of the best players in the world.”(Real) are champions because they deserve this cup, but we’re proud of the team, and let’s try to do it again.“

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2023